Israeli demand boosts sheepmeat market

Exports of bone-in sheepmeat to Israel are resuming, bringing renewed buying interest for slaughter sheep at a time when supply —typical for winter— is very limited. A livestock agent noted there is demand across all categories, with some plants offering the weekly consignment sheet reference plus US$ 0.10 per kilo carcass. That puts lamb carcasses at around US$ 4.60 and ewes at US$ 3.80 per kilo.

Sheep slaughter fell by nearly 30% compared to the previous week. INAC reported that 9,080 sheep were processed, a weekly decrease of 3,873 head. Lambs accounted for 4,671, or 51% of the total.

The most active plants were Las Piedras (3,801), San Jacinto (3,245), and Oferan (1,184).