MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Paraguay meat industry exports recovering and could reach 1.5bn dollars this year

Russia, Israel and Chile are the main clients for Paraguayan beef

Paraguay meat industry exports in the first seven months of the year reached 839 million dollars, which is 45% higher than the same period a year ago (577m) according to official data from the National Livestock quality and health services, Senacsa.

The volume of shipments was also 45% higher: 219.921 tons compared to 151.286 in the seven months of 2012. The difference in income and volume can be attributed to the fact that Paraguay after imposing strict sanitary and quarantines measures in two outbreaks of foot and mouth disease to the north of the country last year, is again back on the world market, mainly Russia, Israel and Chile.

However Paraguay still has to recover the status of free of FMD with vaccination, since it is waiting confirmation from the protocols of the International Animal Health organization, OIE, in Paris which depends from FAO.

By items beef totalled 617 million dollars up 39% from 441 million a year ago. Other items such as non edible products (bone and meat meal; skin chews for dogs, tallow) soared 47% to 118 million dollars, while those for human consumption (tripe, sausages, tinned meat) jumped 50% to 13 million dollars.

Offal also had a very strong demand with sales reaching 86 million dollars or 905 over the 45 million of Jan/July 2012.

Agriculture and Livestock minister Rody Godoy forecasts that exports from the Paraguayan meat industry in 2013 could reach, 1.5bn dollars. The private sector is more cautions and prefers an estimate of 1.3bn dollars.