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).
From December 11th to 13th farmers and companies will be gathering together to discuss research, animal production technologies in the country, traceability and food safety.
The Panamanian Association of Animal Production will be holding the second congress of this type under the slogan 'For cleaner tropical cattle production with animal welfare and technical efficiency to ensure food security and progress for Panama', in the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Panama, district of Chiriqui.
The cattle farmer's guild wants to emulate the livestock auction mechanisms that are implemented in Costa Rica and Nicaragua in order to regulate the marketing of livestock and prevent price gouging.
The proposal is mainly that product price be set by supply and demand, thus eliminating middlemen and optimizing the beef marketing chain.
The president of the Association of Dairy Development, Ramiro Pérez, told S21.com.gt that "...
Climatic factors and issues related to pastures have forced ranchers to import in the first half of the year 1,753 head of cattle, which is 309% more than was imported in the same period in 2013.
Climatic factors and issues related to pastures have forced ranchers to import in the first half of the year 1,753 head of cattle, which is 309% more than was imported in the same period in 2013.
The union has denounced the absence of a long-term policy to organise production and help the fight against the pests and smuggling which are hurting the sector.
The recent plague of the salivosa insect, which caused an emergency phytosanitary status to be declared, the increased smuggling of beef on the border with Mexico and the lack of actual figures related to the sector, are the main arguments put forward by the livestock sector when demanding that the government implement a policy of long-term development for the sector.
The union of producers and exporters estimates the manual for interpretation of the rules for cattle and sheep will be ready in November this year.
From a statement issued by the Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN):
The Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN) will start preparing, on 10 July, the guide for interpretation of the rules for cattle and sheep, known as Globalgap, said Azucena Castillo, general manager of the association. "We have set a meeting to begin work on developing guidance for the interpretation of the standard for cattle and sheep. In this meeting we will introduce the topic and explain the procedure established by Globalgap" Castillo said.
Sales of rice, cattle, wheat flour, meat and coffee made through BAGSA increased by 10% compared to the previous year.
"Despite the fall in international prices and reduced exports, transactions this year will exceed $720 million, representing growth of 10% compared to 2012," said Enrique Zamora, president of the Board of Bolsa Agropecuaria de Nicaragua S.A. (Bagsa).
The Agricultural Bank of Peru is going to open a special credit line for the purchase of live cattle in Panama to supply the Peruvian domestic market.
The Comptroller General of the Republic revealed that up until August the value of exported cattle was $1.3 million, 37.6% less compared to the $2.1 million reported in the same period in 2012.
But this could be improved if Peru's plans to purchase cattle, taking advantage of existing FTA between the two countries, become firm, Negotiations are currently underway between the "Vice Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Embassy of Peru in Panama to establish financial facilities that will enable Peruvian livestock farmers to acquire cattle with high genetic quality from Panama to improve their herds and meet the demand for beef in their country " reported Capital.com.pa.
During the first six months of 2013 193,438 cattle were slaughtered, 16,094 animals less than in the same period in 2012.
According to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (Anagan), the decline in the livestock supply is due to the harsh dry season which affected the country earlier this year, because reserves of food and water ran out quickly. The decrease was greater in males than in females.
There were 1,575,779 head of cattle on 45,780 ranches, an increase of 14.2% compared to the figures reported in 2011.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG):
In our country, the cattle herd is 1,575,779 head of cattle and there are 45,780 cattle farms, these are the results of a livestock survey, presented on Tuesday by Gloria Abraham, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and Leonardo Luconi , President of the Livestock Corporation (CORFOGA).
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.
The growth of food exports to Venezuela has got Nicaraguan producers excited, yet they are warning against backing this market excessively.
"Between January and May of this year, exports by volume from Nicaragua to Venezuela have grown by 209%, generating an exporter enthusiasm which has convinced all of the productive sectors, especially now that there are plans to halve red bean production over five years in order to plant more black beans", reported Laprensa.com.ni
They warn that if domestic prices are not adjusted and there is no guarantee to maintain the value of the local currency, they will not sell their cattle to local slaughterhouses.
Alvaro Fiallos, president of the National Union of Farmers and Ranchers (UNAG), is demanding that slaughterhouses adjust the price which has been kept frozen since late May last year at $2.97 per kilo in hot weight, and that they recognize the maintenance of the value of the cordoba.
This year Panama will stop the export of 1580 tons of beef to the European Union for failing to meet the requirement of implementing livestock traceability.
One requirement for Panama to export meat through the Treaty of the European Union with Central America, is for the country to have a traceability system, however, the project is being held up in Congress.
The drastic decrease in the number of livestock has generated a significant increase in imports of cattle in order to satisfy the demand for beef.
Information from the Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer), reveals that in 2012, Costa Rica imported 11 times more live cattle than in 2011.
Erick Quirós, senior director of regional operations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), said that this drop in the number cattle is a consequence of the crisis of 2009 and the impact of climate change.
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