In 2015 a 15% increase in the volume of milk exported offset the fall in international prices of meat and the recurring problem of smuggling in the sector.
Although meat is still the leading export sector in Nicaragua, the country's foreign exchange earnings fell by 1.6%, going from $474.8 million in 2014 to $467 million in 2015. This information was disclosed by the Nicaraguan Chamber of Beef Exporting Plants (Canicarne).
Canicarne is demanding the repeal of the decree which establishes a fixed price of $250 for cattle weighing between 250 and 350 kilos, which favors the export of live cattle.
According to the Nicaraguan Chamber of Beef Exports (Canicarne), slaughterhouses are working at half capacity and demanding the repeal of the interministerial Mific-Magfor Decree 027-2007, believing that it encourages tax evasion in live cattle exports.
Meat processing plants foresee slaughtering 250,000 more cattle by 2014, a 38% increase.
Onel Pérez, president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Beef Exporters (Canicarne), noted that they expect to slaughter 650,000 animals in 2010, out of a maximum capacity of 1.1 million in the country's 4 processing plants.
Pérez remarked that 'certified slaughterhouses have made considerable investments to handle the expected increase'.
The Nicaraguan Chamber of Meat Trade is looking to expand beef exports in 3,000 additional tons.
The president of the National Cattlemen Nicaragua (Conago), René Blandon stated that if successful, beef exports to that country would reach 22 tons per year.
"Conago also hopes to improve the livestock value. Blandon said that 'the price they are paying in Venezuela, which is $ 1.30 per kilo, is better than other markets including Central America and Puerto Rico. That makes it attractive and stimulates the small farmer," stressed Blandon, according to La Prensa.