China has become Argentina's main destination for frozen beef exports, with sales to the country up 248% since last year. Meanwhile, a Chinese inspection to open Irish exports has yet to take place. 

 

Argentina exported 22,135 tonnes of fresh beef to China between January and June 2015, resulting in Chile, formerly Argentina's largest market, being relegated to second place.

 

At 12,196 tonnes, Chile received just over half of the amount exported by Argentina to China within that period.

 

Argentina's third largest market so far this year is Israel, up 26% on last year, followed by Russia, down 28%, and Germany, down 9%.

 

Overall, beef exports from Argentina to non-Hilton (High Quality Beef) quota countries were up 34% on last year, while exports to Hilton (EU) countries remained the same on last year.

 

Agreement

 

Argentina's offensive in increasing beef exports to China has been helped by an addendum to the 2010 Beef Protocol. The addendum was signed by an Argentine official mission that travelled to China to treat the case of vesicular stomatitis (VSV).

 

With the addendum valid since 23 July, uncertainties on Argentina's beef exports to China has now been lifted, according to Agriculture Minister Carlos Casamiquela.

(Irish Farmers' Journal)