Shortage of cattle jeopardises results
22/04/2008
Uruguay's cattle breeding and beef industries have good prospects for growth thanks to international demand and the high prices paid for beef, leather and other subproducts, a senior industry figure has said. Unfortunately, the current low offer of cattle for slaughter in the country is jeopardising results.
José Costa, president of the Uruguayan Meat Packers Association (Adifu), recently said that prospects for exports were excellent but he said that the country will not be able to take advantage of the situation because of the shortage of animals.
Uruguayan beef prices have commanded a 35% increase in value in the first four months of the year compared to the same period last year.
"Uruguay should be slaughtering more cattle in order to take advantage of the favourable business conditions offered by European importers but we do not have enough cattle ready for slaughter at the moment," Mr Costa explained. "It is not easy to operate with high cattle prices and a limited offer. This is a problem that concerns everybody and goes from calf rearing and the shortage of cattle due to dry spells to feed price increases and many other factors."
Share this story:
