ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Fresh Beef Exports Saw a 10.5% Monthly Increase in February

Uruguay’s fresh beef exports rose 10.5% in February to 34,815 mt, according to the latest report released by the National Customs Directorate. Compared to the same period last year, this figure represents 9.9% growth.

China remained the top destination with 12,306 MT, representing a 3.3% decline from January and a sharp 20.1% Y-o-Y drop. This decline resulted in a contraction in China's share of Uruguay’s total fresh beef exports from 48.6% in February 2024 to 35.3% in February 2025, reflecting a weaker demand...

ANALYSIS: Uruguay’s Beef Exports Kick Off 2025 with 17.4% Monthly Growth, Up 3.9% Y-o-Y

Uruguay’s beef exports surged in January 2025, reaching 31,750 MT, marking a 17.4% increase M-o-M from December 2024’s 27,038 MT and a 3.9% rise Y-o-Y from January 2024’s 30,544 MT. While the overall trend shows resilience, the composition of shipments reveals shifting market dynamics, particularly concerning China’s slowing demand and the US’s growing share.

Shipments to China, the largest buyer, totaled 12,742 MT, capturing 40.1% of Uruguay’s total exports, which represents a 12.1% M-o-M increase. However...

Impact of the EU-Mercosur Agreement on EU Beef Market

After 25 years of negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), comprising Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, reached a landmark free-trade and cooperation agreement on December 6, 2024. In 2023, EU agri-food exports to Mercosur totalled €3.2 billion, and the new EU-Mercosur Free-Trade Agreement aims to substantially increase these exports by removing high tariffs on key EU export products. The following article examines the potential impact of the deal on the beef market...