Source: USDA FSIS

Argentina

Argentine exports of chicken meat increased 31% from February 2007 to March 2007 from 5,855 metric tons (MT) to 7,673 MT respectively. In comparison to a year ago, Argentina increased chicken meat exports 59% (2,860 MT) from 4,813 MT in March of 2006. Argentina finished the first quarter of 2007 exporting a total of 20,071 MT, which was 3,180 MT (19%) higher than the first quarter of 2006. Total chicken meat exports for Argentina in 2006 were 71,233 MT, which was about 1% or 571 MT lower from 2005 export levels. Argentina's top five export destinations were as follows in March and the first quarter of 2007: Chile with 2,389 MT and 6,384 MT, South Africa with 1,141 MT and 2,495 MT, Saudi Arabia with 701 MT and 1,653 MT, Germany with 399 MT and 1,286 MT, and the Netherlands with 272 MT and 675 MT respectively. According to FAO, in 2004 Argentina ranked 16th in the world for poultry exports by value at USD $55,642 million and 64,669 MT.

Argentine broiler meat exports mostly consist of whole birds, paws, and breasts. Whole bird exports rose 3% from 47,720 MT in 2005 to 49,359 MT in 2006, while first quarter exports increased 14% to 14,206 MT in 2007 from 12,426 MT in 2006. Argentina increased exports of paws from 23,485 MT in 2005 to 28,670 MT in 2006 with the bulk of paws being shipped to Hong Kong and China. Hong Kong imported 14,853 MT in 2006 and 3,433 MT in the first three months of 2007; China imported 13,521 MT and 4,034 MT in 2007 respectively.

In the first quarter of 2007, Argentina exported 1,789 MT of egg and egg by-products, dropping 7% from 2006 (1,925 MT). Austria led first quarter 2007 at 20% of total exports followed by Angola (15%), Congo (14%), Russia (13%), and Belgium (10%). Egg and egg by-product exports for 2006 totalled 6,144 MT, which dropped 2% from 2005 exports (6,243 MT). About 30% of Argentina's total egg and egg by-product exports were shipped to Angola, 15% to Austria, 11% to Russia, 11% to Denmark, and 11% to the Congo in 2006. On a side note, Argentina imported $64,000 worth of eggs for industrial use from the US in the first three months of 2007, $155,000 in 2006, and $133,000 in 2005.

Source: Senasa-DNFA-DTI-Office of Statics of Foreign Trade/FAO

2006 Argentine Chicken Meat Exports by Destination

Source: Senasa-DNFA-DTI-Office of Statistics of Foreign Trade

Source: Senasa-DNFA-DTI-Office of Statistics of Foreign Trade

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