Uruguay seeks live cattle from Brazil

Uruguayan meatpackers are in the advanced stage of negotiations to obtain physio-sanitary certification from their government to import Brazilian live cattle, according to the newspaper El Pais. Uruguay is looking to source live cattle from Brazil as a result of low stocks and high prices in the domestic market, as well as the country’s increased beef exports to China.

The price of a calf in Uruguay sits at around US$3.50 per kg, compared to US$2.44 per kg in Brazil. The price in other  ECSA countries is also cheaper than Uruguay at US$2.63 per kg in Argentina and US$2.75 per kg in Paraguay.

El Pais confirmed Uruguay has already established protocols for live cattle export-import activity between Mercosur countries. Breeding, fattening, and immediate slaughter are all authorized.

Uruguay’s beef exports to China set a record in April, reaching 22,000 tons; China accounted for 68% of the country’s total exports last month.

The following DataLiner graph shows Brazil’s 10-year live cattle export trends to the top destinations against total exports:

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