Beef export income fell, with China's incidence declining and other markets participating more, including Israel; beef leads.

Foreign exchange earnings from meat exports from Uruguay decreased 8.4% during the first four months of 2024, compared to the same period last year, totaling US$ 775.6 million, based on data from the National Meat Institute. from the Uruguayan country (INAC).

Despite the fall, meat continues to be the agroindustrial sector - along with wood - of greatest relevance among the generators of exportable goods from Uruguay.

URUGUAYAN MEAT EXPORT: LESS VOLUME AND AVERAGE VALUE

From January 1 to April 27, 207,831 tons (shipping weight) were shipped (considering all items), 3% less than what was exported in January-April 2023.

An annual accumulated average price of US$ 3,732 per ton was achieved, always taking all meat items, with an adjustment in that measurement of 5.6%.

CHANGES IN THE WEIGHT OF MEAT MARKETS

- China: 36% (US$ 280.5 million) with a drop of 33.2%.

- USA + Canada + Mexico: 26% (US$ 204.2 million) with an improvement of 18.6%.

- European Union: 14% (US$ 105.4 million) with a decrease of 0.8%.

- Mercosur: 6% (US$ 49.1 million) with an increase of 11.7%.

- Israel : 5% (US$ 39.6 million) with an increase of 103%.

- Japan: 2% (US$ 16.4 million) with a decrease of 8.8%.

- Russian Federation: 2% (US$ 12.7 million) with an increase of 145%.

WHAT HAPPENS TO BEEF

Considering exclusively beef exports (they explain 82% of the total foreign exchange earned by all meats), income fell from 2023 to 2024 (always as of April 27) 3.9%, obtaining US$ 637.2 million.

In volume, carcass weight, it rose 3.7%, reaching 158,116 tons.

Considering the average income from exports, beef had a value of US$ 4,030 per ton in the period following 2024, with a drop of 7.4% compared to the same period in 2023.

CHINA LEADS EVEN IF ITS DEMAND FOR BEEF DECLINED

- China: 34% with US$ 219,316 million and 67,605 tons (carcass weight, -24.2%).

- USA, Canada and Mexico: 30% with US$ 188 million and 47,331 tons (+50.2%).

- European Union: 15% with US$ 96 million and 13,822 tons (+13.3%).

- Israel: 6% with US$ 38 million and 8,423 tons (+139%).

- Mercosur: 6% with US$ 35 million and 5,593 tons (+7.4%).

SHEEP MEAT: LEADS IN MERCOSUR

- Mercosur: 40% with US$ 9.3 million and 1,839 tons (channel weight, +30.7%).

- China: 20% with US$ 4.5 million and 1,629 tons (-75.5%).

- Russian Federation: 2% with US$ 0.5 million and 200 tons (not imported in 2023).

- USA, Canada and Mexico: 1% with US$ 0.4 million and 137 tons (+42.9%).

- European Union: 1% with US$ 0.2 million and 109 tons (-69.4%).

Considering the average income from exports, sheep meat had a value of US$ 3,712 per ton in January-April 2024, with a decrease of 4.4% compared to the same period in 2023.