Uruguay meat exports so far this year (June 9) represented 766 million dollars which is slightly higher that the same period last year when the sum was 722 million dollars; likewise tonnage was 195.459 compared to 184.749 tons in 2011.
Brazilian beef exports declined 14% in 2011, to 820.239 tonnes swt, establishing it as the world’s third largest beef exporter behind Australia and the US (Global Trade Atlas).
Uruguay beef exports last year dropped 8% in volume but soared 18% in value because of higher international prices and fewer cattle. However the volume was the lowest since 2004 and confirms a decreasing tendency since 2006, according to the latest figures released by the government.
In eleven months of 2011 Uruguayan meat exports jumped 21% in value compared to the same period a year ago, totalling 1.505 billion dollars and 373.548 tons according to the latest release from the country’s National Meat Board (INAC).
Paraguay experienced negative inflation during the month of November influenced by the fall in meat prices, mainly beef, because of a ban on exports, which more than compensated an increase in fuel costs.
Argentina is currently ranked among the world’s top six exporters of chicken meat (breast and legs) while in beef has dropped to position nine, according to the latest data from the US Department of Agriculture, USDA.
A weaker Brazilian Real should give companies in Brazil's meat sector more flexibility to increase export volumes and could also provide a short-term boost to margins.
Argentina’s cattle herd and beef production continues to contract and the latest statistics give full support to the tendency that begun in 2006: in the first four months of the year fisheries exports were more significant that beef overseas sales.
The following piece by Jude Webber writing for the Financial Times explains the different approach by the two neighboring countries to the windfall earnings of the commodities boom.
Paraguay overtook Argentina as beef exporter in 2010 confirming the country’s loss of leadership in the world’s meat markets, according to reports in the Argentine and Paraguayan media.