Argentina lifts beef export ban
26/03/2010
Packer and tanning groups in Argentina have emerged from lengthy talks with the government with a deal that will allow them to re-commence beef exports.
The agreement came on March 25, two weeks after the government halted beef exports in the wake of rising meat prices on the domestic market.
Industry commentators estimate that the price of beef in the shops in Argentina rose by 35% in the first two months of this year.
However, the ministry of agriculture has stipulated that Argentina will export a maximum of 350,000 tonnes of beef this year, a decrease of 40% on the amount packers shipped from the South American country last year.
Official figures confirm that the cattle population of Argentina has fallen from 60 million to 51 million head of cattle over the last three years. This has contributed directly to the increase in meat prices. Setting this new export quota is an indication that the government is still intent on taking action to keep domestic prices as low as possible.
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