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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, July 4th 2025 - 11:10 UTC

Agriculture

  • Wednesday, January 10th 2018 - 10:14 UTC

    Blue tongue outbreak among sheep in Brazil

    “Blue tongue” is a non-contagious, insect-borne, viral disease of ruminants, mainly sheep and less frequently cattle, goats, buffalo, deer, dromedaries, and antelope.

    Uruguayan animal health authorities are on the alert following the outbreak of a blue tongue focus among sheep in south Brazil. The outbreak has been located in Santa Maria, in central Rio Grande do Sul, and Uruguay's Agriculture and Livestock ministry has strengthened controls along the border which divides the rich farmland region.

  • Friday, January 5th 2018 - 10:25 UTC

    Drought in north Argentina seriously delaying plating of soy and corn

    There are still nearly 12.8 million acres to be planted and 40% of this surface corresponds to northern Argentina, with wide areas of drought. Photo: Sebastián Astorga / sebastorga.com

    The drought in Argentina continues in several regions and has generated a delay of planting for the 2017-18 season. A report authored by the institution AgroEducación indicated that La Niña, though subtle, already impacts the region with temperatures above normal and scarce rains.

  • Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 09:58 UTC

    Brucellosis outbreak at Paraguay Vet School triggers alarm bells for the industry

    Brucellosis is caused by a bacteria and the outbreak apparently was located in a flock of goats as the Vet School from the Asunción University in Paraguay

    An outbreak of brucellosis at the Veterinary School of the Asunción University in Paraguay, FCV-UNA, has cost the academic center its international certification, and has become a shameful experience for a country which is among the top world beef exporters.

  • Thursday, January 4th 2018 - 08:05 UTC

    UK farmers growing concern about a post Brexit scenario

    Concerns have been raised that a deal with the US could include chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-fed beef.

    Post-Brexit trade deals could pose the biggest peacetime threat to the UK's food security if welfare standards and farmers are not protected, MPs say. Imports of food produced with lower welfare standards should not be allowed, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Agro-ecology warns.

  • Wednesday, January 3rd 2018 - 10:19 UTC

    Lack of rainfall in Buenos Aires province affecting soy planting and prices

    The drought in some parts of Buenos Aires province has put upward pressure on international soy prices, on supply worries.

    Argentina's bread-basket province of Buenos Aires will remain mostly dry over the days ahead, meteorologists said on Tuesday, after reporting scant rains over the weekend in the country's biggest and most productive farm area.

  • Tuesday, January 2nd 2018 - 10:53 UTC

    Japan prepared to lift its ban on beef imports from Uruguay

    An expert panel of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry determined in December that sufficient safeguards are in place at farms and processing facilities

    Japan is planning to lift a ban on beef imports from Uruguay next year, ending a more than 17-year embargo following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the South American nation in 2000, according to government sources in Tokyo.

  • Thursday, December 28th 2017 - 09:24 UTC

    Brazil suspends fish exports to the EU over inspection discrepancies

    “The suspension will come into effect next Wednesday, Jan 3, at the same time as an action plan to respond to questions raised by the EU is implemented”

    Brazil said it was suspending fish exports to the European Union in response to concerns raised by Brussels' veterinary inspectors. The move was aimed at preventing the EU itself from ordering a suspension, said Luis Rangel, the secretary of state in charge of fisheries.

  • Thursday, December 21st 2017 - 11:12 UTC

    EU stands firmly on its beef offer to Mercosur: 70.000 tons

    “Mercosur talks were quite difficult during the week and there are 15 open issues still in the negotiations”, admitted Commissioner Phil Hogan

    The European Union's offer on beef in Mercosur trade negotiations has not been revised according to the EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, who said a deal may happen in February. Speaking to journalists in Brussels on Wednesday, EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan said that the EU's offer on beef access for Mercosur countries has not been revised since December 5.

  • Friday, December 15th 2017 - 14:53 UTC

    Brazilian beef exporters expect a record year in 2018: 1.68 million tons

    The bullish outlook is based on expectations of the United States lifting a ban on fresh Brazilian beef and China certifying imports from nearly a dozen more plants. AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba

    Brazilian beef exporters expect shipments to grow 10% in 2018 after rising an estimated 9% this year despite corruption and food safety scandals that temporarily closed off major markets. Trade group Abiec on Thursday said Brazil, the world’s largest beef exporter, would likely sell 1.68 million tons of beef abroad next year, up from 1.53 million tons in 2017. Revenue is expected to rise about 11% to US$6.9 billion in 2018, after a 13% rise this year to US$6.2 billion.

  • Friday, December 15th 2017 - 10:56 UTC

    Russian wheat for Brazil as Moscow and Brasilia look to increase bilateral trade

    Russian grain traders have been searching for new markets after bumper harvests. Brazil also expects it will help lift a Russian ban on imports of certain meats

    Brazil’s government published a decree laying out procedures importers will have to follow to be able to buy and unload Russian wheat in Brazil, a step aimed at improving trade ties with Moscow. The decree, which takes effect immediately, outlines the documents importers will have to submit to bring Russian wheat to be processed in Brazil, which had not been previously allowed.