Cattle slaughter hits lowest level since Easter week

Cattle slaughter dropped by more than 8,500 head, affected by the 24-hour strike organized by Foica in response to the workplace accident at Cledinor and the suspension of operations at Minerva’s Carrasco plant. INAC reported that during the week ending June 14, a total of 42,586 head of cattle were processed, the lowest number in eight weeks, since Easter week.

The most significant decline occurred in the cow category, which fell 28% to 13,363 head. Steer slaughter dropped 12% to 21,878 head, while heifer slaughter decreased only 4% week-on-week to 6,605 head.

The most active plant was Las Piedras with 4,826 head, followed by Marfrig-Tacuarembó (4,642) and Urgal-San Jacinto (4,103). With four active plants, Marfrig slaughtered 12,218 head (down 3,183 head from the previous week, mainly due to lower activity at the Tacuarembó plant). Minerva, operating three plants, processed 9,381 head (down 2,545 head), while the Urgal family slaughtered 8,001 head across two plants.

In the first 14 days of June, 93,716 cattle were slaughtered, representing a 3.6% year-on-year increase.