Prices for slaughter cattle across the region returned to a downward trend during the past week. The World Beef Report (WBR) Mercosur Steer Index lost 11 cents to US$ 4.78/kg carcass weight, its lowest level since late March.
Brazil accounted for much of the decline. The average boi gordo price across exporting states fell 15 cents to US$ 4.27/kg carcass weight. The decrease reflected a 1.6% decline in the arroba price in local currency during the week, combined with a 2% appreciation of the US dollar against the Brazilian real.
In Argentina, the average export steer price declined 11 cents to US$ 5.76/kg carcass weight, also due to exchange-rate movements, as prices in Argentine pesos remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, in Uruguay and Paraguay, cattle prices remained broadly stable, with references of US$ 5.58/kg carcass weight and US$ 5.00/kg carcass weight, respectively.
