A poll disclosed by La Tercera on Tuesday revealed that, over the past three weeks, beef prices in major Chilean super markets have surged upwards by 60 percent. This information comes as, in the wake of a three-week farmers strike, the Argentine government is for the first time prohibiting the export of meat since 2006. 

Argentine government representatives told La Tercera Wednesday, that the exportation of Argentine beef to Chile will be closed until the price of beef for Argentina consumers returns to its market value.

The three-week strike that ended April 4 was prompted by the Argentine government's decision to raise taxes and tighten other restrictions on agricultural exports in order to lower domestic food prices.

The cheapest and most popular Argentine beef sold in Chile rose from Ch$3.289 pesos per kilo (US$6) to Ch$5.289 pesos per kilo (US$10) over the past three weeks.

Argentine beef accounts for slightly over 50 percent of Chile's beef sales.

The rising prices and shortage of beef in super markets has led the market to search for imports from Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. While no beef crosses the Argentine-Chilean border, substitute beef can be imported from Paraguay and Uruguay to replace Argentine imports, according to Agriculture Minister Marigen Hornkohl.

SOURCE: LA TERCERA

By Julia Thompson (editor@santiagotimes.cl)

The Santiago Times - English Language Newspaper in Santiago, Chile - News in Chile and Latin America

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