09/11/2012
Slaughter and exports forecasts for 2012 were made public in the framework of the launching of INAC’s stand at Expo Prado. Total exports of the meat sector will be over 1,700 million dollars by the end of the year. A historical figure.
Information and Economic Analysis Director Pablo Caputi referred to statistics, pointing out that beef exports will account for approximately 1,400 million dollars in 2012; this is also the highest value of the statistical series.
Beef export volume will probably increase compared to 2011, reaching some 367 thousand tons carcass weight, if the trend observed so far continues.
Beef export average income will probably be below that of 2011 but slightly above 3,800 USD per ton carcass weight. It is to be noted that until now in 2012 the dollar has become stronger in relation with the Uruguayan peso.
As to destinations, the Russian Federation continues to be the main destination of Uruguayan beef exports in terms of volume, accounting for 30 %.
The European Union has reduced its share to 16 % but it stands out in terms of value (25%), owing to the kind of cuts that are placed in this market (basically rump & loin).
The reduction of UE´s share has lead meat exporters to place their products in a greater proportion of NAFTA markets. These represent a 16 % share in volume so far this year.
2012 will end with a beef slaughter at authorized plants estimated slightly above 2,060 thousand million heads, 2.5 % up compared to 2011. The composition of slaughter (cows, steers) shows a sustainable slaughter.
It is to be noted that in 2012 greater offer restrictions were expected due to the combined effects of the 2008-2009 drought (less calves) and the live exports of light categories in recent years. As regards sheep meat industrial slaughter is quite likely to fall (maybe 100 thousands heads less compared to the previous year).
