Beef exports from South America are dominated by Brazil, but that country has not been without its problems in recent months. However, other exporters in the region have been increasing their trade so far in 2017 and largely offset the decline for Brazil.
According to figures from AHDB, Brazilian exports were down 8 per cent or almost 24,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2017 to 264,000t. In contrast shipments were up for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay with the combined total amounting to 186,000t up almost 19,000t or 11 per cent on the first quarter of 2016. Growth has taken place for all three countries led by Argentina up 22 per cent.
The largest market for these three countries is China, supplied by Argentina and Uruguay, which accounted for almost 30 per cent of the total trade for the three countries in the first quarter of 2017 and which was up 35 per cent on a year earlier.
Shipments for the three countries combined to Russia were up 59 per cent on January-March 2016. All three countries also supply the EU to varying degrees and shipments were up 4 per cent on a year earlier to just over 20,000t.
The outlook for Brazilian exports remain clouded by the aftermath of the meat export scandal in March. Bans imposed might have been short-term, but trade remains disrupted given the corruption scandal that emerged in May surrounding Brazil's largest beef processor and the world's largest exporter, JBS.
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 127 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to average 231.6p (no change on the week), while 97 beef-bred bullocks levelled at 245p (+10.7p). Thirty-nine store, B&W bullocks averaged 155p (-21.2p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 10 prime heifers in Dumfries to a top of 241p and an average of 209p.
In the rough ring 36 beef cows averaged 145.9p and 39 dairy cows levelled at 109p.
The firm also sold 207 prime hoggs to a top of £94 per head and 209p per kg to average 186p (-9p), while 310 prime lambs peaked at £122 and 283p to level at 266p (+27p).
The 153 cast sheep forward saw heavy ewes sell to £125.50 for Texels and average £80, while light ewes peaked at £68.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £51.
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 62 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £99 and 225p to average 192p (+24.3p), while 439 prime lambs peaked at £122 and 270p to level at £105 and 253.1p (-20.3p).
The 170 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £106 for Suffolks and £68.50 for Blackfaces.
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