Uruguayan cattle slaughter increased last week to its highest level in eight weeks, since mid-May, when production for the last 481 quota window was coming to an end.
INAC reported that 46,711 head were processed in the week ended July 11, up 1,500 from the previous week and more than 5,500 above the same week last year. During the second half of the year, slaughter activity is expected to remain above year-ago levels.
The weekly increase was driven mainly by heifers, with 7,847 head slaughtered, up 43% from the previous week and the highest figure since the first week of February. Cow slaughter rose 4% to 16,745 head, while steer slaughter declined 7% to 21,379 head.
The busiest plants were MBRF-Tacuarembó (5,634 head), Las Piedras (5,414) and Minerva-BPU (3,716). From this week, Tacuarembó has suspended one of its shifts, reducing weekly throughput to around 2,500-3,000 head. Meanwhile, Establecimiento Colonia, also owned by MBRF, resumed operations, processing 1,783 head.
So far in July, cattle slaughter is similar to that recorded over the same period last year, although this year includes one additional business day. All indications are that meatpacking activity will consolidate the recovery that began to emerge, albeit modestly, in June.
