Further limits expected for Argentine beef exports
The annual Global Agricultural Information Network report on livestock and products in the country forecasts exports of Argentine beef to rise marginally in 2015, to 210,000 tonnes (t) carcase weight equivalent (cwe) – an increase of 20,000t cwe on this year, however this is still “an insignificant volume” compared to the amount historically exported.
Beef consumption and production are expected to remain level. Production is estimated to reach 2.82 million t cwe next year as cattle stock continues to recover after numbers fell significantly in 2010, due to drought and low profitability.
Carcase weight is also estimated to remain relatively unchanged as the slaughter of young, light steers and heifers continues to be encouraged.
According to the author of the report, the general consensus among analysts is that high inflation and increasing production costs, coupled with government limitations, has discouraged cattle producers from boosting the size of their herds in recent years.
Rain has affected the main cattle-producing province of Buenos Aires since February, with flooded pastures and inaccessible areas causing problems for producers.
“As a fortunate counterbalance, the rest of the cattle production areas, especially in the central-north parts of the country, have enjoyed a mild and short winter and are expected to increase production,” said the report.
In August the US’ Animal and Plant Health Service announced that fresh and frozen beef from Patagonia was now eligible for export to the US, and that it was opening a period for comments on a proposed rule to allow Argentine fresh beef from the rest of the country.
Consumption is expected to remain similar to 2014 at 2.6mt (cwe), representing an annual consumption of beef per capita of 63kg.
Poultry meat consumption is forecast at 42-44kg per capita, having doubled over the past 10 years, thanks to competitive pricing. Pork consumption has also increased rapidly in recent years, with per capita consumption estimated at 12-14kg.
