In January 2018, a delegation of businessmen from the livestock sector will be visiting the Asian country to develop new commercial alliances to increase exports of bovine meat.
Panamaamerica.com.pa reports that "...According to the president of the National Association of Cattle Ranchers (Anagan), Aquiles Acevedo, the aim of the visit is to look for new alternatives for exporting bovine meat.Acevedo explained that the Anagan will invest in livestock and raw materials, while the Chinese will provide the marketing, which is another way to export meat."
On November 25th producers of sheep meat will be gathering together in Atenas, Costa Rica, to discuss issues such as herd management in stable and extensive systems, feeding and breeding for meat production.
The congress, organized by theCosta Rican Sheep Association (ASOVICO), will be held on November 25 from 8:30 a.m.
Techniques of production and genetics are some of the topics that will be discussed on November 17th at the congress of pork producers, to be held in Managua.
The event is being organized by the Nicaraguan Chamber of Producers (Caniporc), and will take place at the Best Western Las Mercedes Hotel.
Livestock farmers claim that in some areas of the border with Honduras the authorities are demanding requirements that complicate the free passage of livestock to the North of Central America.
Figures from the Center of Exports (Cetrex) show that between January and September 30 this year 17,222 head of cattle were exported, 3,852 cattle less than in the same period in 2016.According to the breeders, this decrease is due to"obstacles imposed by the government to favor slaughterhouses."
From November 14th to 19th, companies from the livestock sector will be gathering in Guatemala City to showcase their products and explore business opportunities.
The event "Expica Rotativa en Guatemala 2017" will be held in Parque de la Industria, in zone 9.
The activity will include auctions, exhibition of livestock and products, as well as conferences on topics such as genetics, nutrition and animal health, among other things.
In order to take advantage of the potential of the Nicaraguan livestock industry, it is essential that traceability systems be improved, a prerequisite for entering demanding markets such as Europe.
The growth in exports of meat and meat products from Nicaragua could be even greater if product monitoring and control systems were properly implemented throughout the production chain.The European market is one of the most demanding in this regard, and is one of the most profitable once the necessary traceability systems are implemented.
Nine companies are responsible for about 50% of the annual exports of the livestock and agricultural sectors, which in 2016 were worth around $1.5 billion.
Figures from the information system 'Business Identifier in Costa Rica', complied by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData:
The government has issued a health alert due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Colombia, and has temporarily suspended imports of processed meat and dairy products from susceptible species.
".. The Ministry of Agricultural Development, through the National Directorate of Animal Health, wishes to communicate that in light of the re-emergence of the virus known as foot-and-mouth disease in Colombia, specifically in the department of Arauca bordering Venezuela, after notification has been sent to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), on 24 June and published on 26 June 2017; Panama is maintaining passive and active surveillance following the health security protocol established for all transborder diseases (including vesicular diseases)."
Figures from the Livestock Corporation show that 21% of beef consumers reduced their consumption compared to two years ago, 18% increased it and for 62% it stayed the same.
From the Conclusions section of the report on beef consumption in Costa Rica, by the Cattle Corporation:
According to the data in the study, the incidence of consumption and regular purchase of beef is estimated at 86.0%, that is to say, approximately 9 out of 10 households report buying and consuming beef on a regular basis.
Suppliers of agroindustrial machinery and equipment are visiting the country in order to explore commercial opportunities with Nicaraguan milk producers.
The Argentine companies that are currently in the country are part of the Argentine Chamber of Manufacturers and Suppliers of Equipments, Supplies and Services for the Milk Chain (Cafypel) and are offering milking equipment, pasteurizers, milk refrigeration equipment, heat exchangers, milk processing equipment and water treatment equipment.Together with the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA) they will be giving technical talks to Nicaraguan producers.
A report by Funides analyzes the effects of climate change on the country's livestock activity and proposes options for minimizing its impact.
From the executive summary of the report "Climate Change in the Livestock Sector of Nicaragua", by Funides:
In 2016, the livestock sector accounted for 4.7% of Nicaragua's GDP and the agricultural sector accounted for 8.4% of formal employment for that year. The productivity levels of the sector are very heterogeneous, since the sector has a presence in almost all of the country including large, medium and small producers.However, in parts of the sector very traditional paradigms still remain and little investment in the land is being made.In Nicaragua, about 80 percent of the area deforested each year is converted into grassland and livestock activity has been criticized for being one of the activities with the highest emissions of greenhouse gases worldwide.
In the first four months of the year the volume of meat exported exceeded the figure for the same period in 2016 by 45% and generated income of $134 million.
The value exported was also higher than the one registered in the first quarter of last year, when $96 million was exported, according to Cetrex's figures.
Representatives of the sector attribute the better results to diversification of the markets for which Nicaraguan meat is destined.René Blandón, president of the Comisión Nacional Ganadera de Nicaragua (Conagan), commented to Elnuevodiario.com.ni: "The industries, which are responsible for placing the processed product, have got their finger out, so to speak, in searching for and conquering new markets for meat."
Between 2012 and 2016 imports of beef in the country doubled, going from $24 million to $50 million, while in the same period local cattle slaughter fell by 17%.
Figures from the Livestock Development Corporation (CORFOGA) indicate that consumption of imported beef has grown steadily in recent years. In 2010 the country imported 4,731 tons, while in 2016 the figure was 9,406 tons.
In Nicaragua industrialists are preparing to defend against the denouncement by farmers over discrepancies between the prices paid by local abattoirs and international prices.
In the difficult route to increase the sector's sales abroad, the country has so far managed to register 58% of the cattle herd.
The advanced comes after five years of efforts between the authorities and trade associations to have included in their records 22% of cattle farms in the country and 58% of cattle organizations, but industry representatives believe that there is still much to be done to meet the traceability requirements that are impeding the entry of Nicaraguan meat products into some markets, including the European Union (EU).