After suffering two years of drought in 2008 and 2009 Uruguayan beef production has increased 4% – 5% annually since 2010 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts that the industry will continue its recovery through 2014 with production of 580,000 tons carcass weight equivalent (cwe). Calf prices have been strong prompting slaughter and breeders to produce more feeder cattle. Total slaughter for 2013 is forecast to be 2.38 million head – the highest in eight years, and the country’s calf crop is expected to break its highest level at 3 million calves. As result of these conditions beef exports are projected to reach 400,000 tons cwe in 2014 with China becoming the biggest destination for Uruguayan beef taking 22% of exports in the first four months of 2013. The U.S. and Canadian markets are expected to fill their quotas and the Russian market will remain important although it will import significantly less beef than in 2012. To read further about Uruguayan cattle exports:
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