Paraguayan meat exporters target new markets
According to reports, Paraguayan beef exporters will be looking to ship product to new markets such as Iran, Morocco, Cuba and Algeria this year. Marys Llorens, a member of the Paraguayan meat association (la Cámara Paraguaya de la Carne), said exporters looking for new export destinations would be supported by the meat and leather board (la Mesa Setorial de Carne e Couro), which she chairs. Exports to Iran are expected to start first, as health inspections are already waiting to take place. Ms Llorens believes the Iranian market could offer similar opportunities to the Russian market, which is currently Paraguay’s second largest export destination for beef (after Chile). According to Senacsa, the Paraguay's national animal health service, beef exports to Russia totalled 8,302 tonnes for the first two months of the year with a value of $22.4 million. "Our main challenge is to increase slaughter volumes and to export to more international markets," Ms Llorens said.
