MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentine beef exports reach 1.15 billion US dollars

In spite of government restrictions to overseas sales Argentine beef exports expanded 9% in the ten first months of 2007 reaching 1.155 billion US dollars according to data from the country's Health and Agro Food national service, Senasa.

The volume of exports between January and October was 385.762 tons, a 3% hike over the same period in 2006, reports Senasa. The main export was frozen and chilled cuts totaling 219.089 tons equivalent to 681.9 million US dollars. Russia figures as Argentina's main beef client with imports of 77.678 tons valued in 148.9 million US dollars. However the best quality beef or Hilton cuts, to the European Union and based on a quota system reached 22.513 tons equivalent to 251.8 million US dollars. Processed meat sales totaled 32.292 tons and 91.3 million US dollars with United States the main purchaser of this type of meat: 13.953 tons equivalent to 41 million US dollars. Finally offal and other cattle sub product exports totaled 111.768 tons and 130 million US dollars. Hong Kong was the main port of destiny for this item: 29.427 tons and 42.8 million US dollars. On several occasions during 2007 the Argentine government temporarily banned beef exports, a staple dish for Argentine consumers, to prevent domestic prices from sky rocketing in line with most food items.