MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay beef exports experience 55% recovery in first four months of 2013

The country has a cattle heard of 13 million

Paraguay beef exports soared 54.94% in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2012. Shipments totalled 65.000 tons equivalent to 337 million dollars against 44.000 tons and 218 million dollars, according to official stats from the Animal Health and Quality Service (Senacsa).

The volume is a record for Paraguay that has recovered several foreign markets including Chile and Russia, after suffering an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in late 2011. Russia remains Paraguay’s best customer with purchases of 44.000 tons, followed by Brazil with 7.000 tons; Israel, 3.000 and Chile, 2.000.

Currently Paraguay is the world’s eighth beef exporter ahead of Mexico and Argentina, according to the first Bovine-forum which took place at Puerto Iguazú. At the forum it was also revealed that Brazil has a cattle heard of 197 million head; Argentina, 49m; Colombia, 31m; Paraguay 13m; Venezuela, 12m and Uruguay, 11million.