Paraguay Lifts Beef-Export Ban

26/10/2011 12:00 - 427 Views

Buenos Aires—Paraguay has lifted a one-month ban on beef exports and will begin negotiations with other countries to restart sales.

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at a ranch in central Paraguay on Sept. 19 forced the government to suspend shipments.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a virus affecting cattle, pigs and other animals with cloven hoofs. Although rarely fatal, it generally causes weight loss in affected livestock, increasing production costs.

Before the export closure, Paraguay was expected to be the world's eighth-largest beef exporter this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Beef is Paraguay's leading export after soybeans, and the suspension is expected to have a notable effect on the country's economic growth this year.

During the first four months of 2011, Paraguay exported 57,000 metric tons (62,800 short tons) of beef, with 22,000 tons sent to its largest customer, Russia, and almost 19,000 tons to Chile, according Paraguay's national animal health agency Senacsa.

In 2010, Paraguay exported 170,344 tons of beef valued at $807 million.

By Shane Romig

Source: online.wsj.com