MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay Forecasts Record Exports of Meat in 2010

The average price per ton of beef was 3.760 US dollars

Paraguayan meat sales increased 47% in value during the first four months of 2010 compared to the same period a year ago, totalling 295 million US dollars (USD), according to the country’s Food Quality and Animal Health Service, Senacasa.

The meat export tonnage jumped from 78.800 to 97.300, of which 53.450 tons were beef.

Even when in the four first months of 2009 the volume of beef exported by Paraguay was slightly higher, 54.253 tons, the value soared 23.7% from 162 million USD to 201 million USD in 2010, with an average beef ton price of 3.760 USD.

If the market remains as bullish as now Paraguay believes it could reach a record in meat sales overseas, surpassing the 600 million USD of 2008. Last year income from meat exports actually dropped 20%. Meats are rapidly becoming the second export item of Paraguay behind soy beans which annually generate 1,2 billion USD.

In related news a Paraguayan Government and private sector delegation will be participating in the 78th General Session of the World Assembly of OIE Delegates in Paris at the end of the month, with the purpose of trying to increase the country’s quota of Hilton beef cuts. Currently the Paraguayan quota is 1.000 tons.

According to Paraguayan officials, the country can supply 2 to 3.000 tons of Hilton cuts annually and in a couple of years 3 to 5.000 tons. The Hilton Quota beef which is sold directly to European Union top hotels and meat boutiques has a current value of over 7.000 USD per ton.