Paraguay Becomes Sixth Largest Beef Exporter

PARAGUAY - The Paraguayan meat sector is ending 2014 ranking as the sixth largest exporter of beef in the world, replacing placing Uruguay.
calendar icon 2 January 2015
clock icon 2 minute read

This year, exports of red meat ended the year valued at more than $ 1.5billion.

The president of the Rural Association of Paraguay (ARP), Germán Ruiz, reported that this year Paraguay replaced Uruguay as the sixth largest exporter and he said that as the industry gets better markets, better earnings and results will be obtained.

"The growth of Paraguayan livestock has been running at between 5-5.5 per cent by volume for 13 years that that has allowed us to continue to grow, "said Mr Ruiz.

However, he said that while Paraguay replaced Uruguay as the sixth largest exporter in volume, this does not necessarily mean more money.

“Paraguay continues to grow and has areas to develop, and this government should not make previous mistakes and it should understand that the farmer significantly helps the economy,'' he added.

He called on the government to develop policies boost livestock growth and help the economy in the inland areas of the country.

He said that livestock is of key importance for the region and is a source of basic food for the food security of its population and demands investment incentives.

The main centre for livestock production is the Paraguayan Chaco.

Mr Ruiz said that the meat industry also has great weight in the economic activity of Paraguay and meat production is the most important subsector within the industrial GDP.

“The growth of Paraguay as an exporter of beef is one of the most remarkable features of this process,” he said.

Paraguay has based its export growth on substantial improvement in animal genetics and sustained efforts to enter new markets.

Between 2000 and 2013 the Paraguayan cattle herd has grown by 37 per cent.

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