As usually happens before trade fairs —Anuga begins this Saturday, October 4 in Cologne, Germany— trading activity tends to be more limited. Nevertheless, export market sources warned of some softening in prices from Argentina. According to the sources, business was centered around US$/t 18,500–19,000 FOB, although some plants were asking US$/t 19,500 to close deals or were simply waiting to “take the market’s temperature” at the fair, an importer told WBR. A broker, meanwhile, said he closed a deal at US$/t 19,250 FOB last week. Other Argentine market source indicated that plants were already offering US$/t 17,800–18,000 FOB this Tuesday.
In Uruguay’s case, sources indicated that, with limited supply, last week’s achieved prices remained broadly unchanged around US$/t 18,000 FOB.
For frozen beef, an exporter noted that Europe’s interest in the Argentine Hilton butt remains firm, priced around US$/t 8,200. “There are also inquiries for robbed forequarter and rib eye, but we have little volume available. Not a single client says there’s surplus beef in Europe,” he explained.
