The Global Livestock Report

Brazil’s beef shipments to China in January totaled 119,876 tons, according to Secex data. Although this represents a year-on-year increase of 29 thousand tons (+31%), volumes were down 30 thousand tons compared with December, and it was also the lowest monthly volume since last May.

Brazilian beef exports continue to post year-on-year growth, but shipments to international markets declined by 73 thousand tons in January compared with December.

Almost three months after the announcement, Argentina today signed with the United States the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement that will raise to 100,000 tons the beef quota shipped to the North American country under preferential tariffs, according to Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Until now, that quota stood at 20,000 tons.

The head of Minerva Foods, Fernando Galletti de Queiroz, took part last week in the third edition of Agro en Punta, an event held at the Punta del Este Convention Center, where he delivered a presentation on the current state of the beef market and on South America’s potential and challenges as the world’s leading supplier. In an interview with WBR, Queiroz discussed the company’s situation in Uruguay after the Competition Defense Commission blocked the acquisition of three Marfrig slaughter plants, his view on Uruguay’s positioning in the international market, as well as ongoing corporate consolidation on both the supply and demand sides.

Australia is not typically a major supplier of beef to the European market, but Europe’s growing import needs are driving a rapid increase in shipments to the region.

Paraguay’s cattle market extended its firm tone over the past week, with strong buying pressure from processors and transactions above list prices. For standard male cattle, plants are paying US$ 4.55–4.60 per kg carcass weight, with scope for further improvement depending on lot quality and immediate slaughter needs.