Argentina extends cap on beef exports

Published: 22 April, 2008

Argentina has extended to March 31 its limits on beef exports, which were imposed by President Nestor Kirchner in March 2006 in an effort to safeguard domestic beef supplies at low prices and curb inflation. Buenos Aires will continue to limit exports to 40,000 metric tons of beef on the bone per month.

Kirchner's initiative has irked the country's cattle ranchers, who have lamented their resultant inability to cash in on strong demand in the export market.

Meanwhile, the local market has become saturated, driving down beef prices as grain prices soar. Many cattle ranchers have subsequently sold their herds and begun dealing in more profitable crops such as soybeans. Some 7.4 million acres have been switched from cattle grazing to grain growing since 2005, amounting to a 10% reduction in ranchland, said Pablo Adreani, an Argentine economic analyst.

Source: meatingplace.com

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