MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Uruguay resumes sales of live cattle and sheep to Egypt

Uruguay has resumed live animal sales to Egypt with a first shipment of 12.000 cattle and 40.000 sheep in late October. Egypt for years was an important client of Uruguayan beef and live animals but for several years the market had remained closed.

However following the updating of bilateral agreements and sanitary agreements trade has picked up again. Four Egyptian veterinarians spent months in Uruguay checking farms, cattle and sheep flocks before confirming the authorization. "The 12.000 cattle are mainly one year old calves and young steers which are being shipped directly to feed lots", said Javier Cassarino responsible for the commercial operation. The hoggets are 12 to 15 months old and on arrival will be slaughtered for local consumption. Egypt with a majority Muslim population has its own rites for killing sheep and as most Arab countries, particularly for the Ramadan festivities, imports thousands of live sheep. The whole operation according to Cassarino involved in the range of 8 million US dollars, six for the cattle and two for the sheep, plus the grain and forage needed for the several weeks trip by sea. "This was a very positive operation because there's great expectation with the re opening of the Egyptian market", said Cassarino who added that "I'm sure that these quality animals plus a fall in international prices, will help trade, hopefully, to become very fluid". Cassarino also underlined the very commendable work displayed by Uruguayan diplomatic staff in Cairo who for the last two years have been pushing very hard, "with talent and persistence" to re open another market for Uruguayan produce.