El Niño has caused the death of 80,000 head in the province of Beni alone and the damage is likely to be felt for the next three years.

Another reason for the decrease in cattle numbers is the new agrarian reform law being prepared by Evo Morales's government. The purpose of this law is to expropriate land for it to be redistributed among Bolivia's poorest farmers. Although the government says that only unproductive or illegally obtained land will be taken, farmers and cattle breeders are uneasy as it is not clear what parameters the government will use. This uncertainty has led to a lack of investment in agriculture.

Bolivian abattoirs are receiving 35% less cattle than normal and the problem is becoming worse by the day.