During the first four months of 2021, companies operating in Costa Rica sold $22 million worth of beef to China, this figure represents 54% of the total exported by the Central American country.
Data from the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer) show that from January to April of this year, Costa Rican beef exports to China totaled $22 million, to the U.S. $8 million and to Puerto Rico $5 million.
During the first quarter of the year in Costa Rica 99,662 cattle were slaughtered, 4% more than reported in the same period in 2019, which is largely explained by shipments to the market in China.
Although the spread of covid-19 has negatively impacted most economic sectors worldwide, data from the Livestock Corporation (Corfoga) detail that between January and March 2019 and the same period of 2020, the number of cattle slaughtered increased by 3981, from 95681 to 99662.
At the end of last year, the number of cattle in Panama reached 1.49 million, 3.8% less than in 2018.
The General Comptroller of the Republic reported that between 2018 and 2019 the number of cattle decreased by 59,700, from 1,556,900 to 1,497,200, a decrease that is largely explained by the fall recorded in the province of Veraguas.
The report states that in the province of Veraguas the herd fell by 8%, from 252,400 to 232,100.
After the first case of paralytic rabies in cattle was confirmed in Coto Brus, the authorities decided to quarantine the farm that houses 110 cattle.
Because the National Animal Health Service (Senasa) confirmed the death of a cattle that was affected by this disease, the movement of any cattle from the farm located in Puntarenas province was prohibited.
After the sanitary protocol to sell meat to China came into effect and the industrial plants in Costa Rica were certified, the Central American country's sales to the Asian giant doubled between 2018 and 2019.
Figures from the Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Procomer) show that in 2018 beef sales to China reached $22 million, while in 2019 they doubled to $57 million.
A bill has been submitted to the Assembly to create a compulsory system of classification of carcasses and nomenclature of beef cuts.
The bill, which was presented by the Minister of Agricultural Development (Mida), seeks to create beef cuts, in addition to protecting and guaranteeing information on beef cuts purchased by consumers, the Assembly reported.
Businessmen in the sector say that for the last two years the theft of livestock and illegal slaughtering of animals has been on the rise.
Representatives of the Federation of Livestock Associations of Nicaragua (Faganic) reported that another situation that affects them is the shortage of credit for producers.
Following an outbreak of paralytic rabies in Veraguas province, local authorities reported that a cordon sanitaire was established to prevent the spread of the disease.
Representatives of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) explained that the quarantined area is equivalent to a 10-km radius from the reported outbreak in Mariato district.
The Executive will present to the Assembly a proposal that seeks to typify the carcasses and the nomenclature of beef cuts, with the objective of establishing quality parameters in the local market.
The bill, which must be approved by the National Assembly, takes up the legislation that was repealed in 2013 to return to the classification of meat, which will help producers to sell on the international market and invest in quality, reported the Panamanian government.
With the approval of a decree declaring beef and all its edible offal as sensitive products, importers in the country will not be able to opt for tariff exemptions.
The Cabinet Council approved Cabinet Decree No. 29 dated December 10, 2019, which declares as sensitive products for the national economy all beef, whether fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, smoked, or processed, as well as all edible bovine offal, whether fresh, chilled or frozen, reported the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA).
Between 2017 and 2018, the number of cattle rose from 1.49 million to 1.58 million, an increase of 5%.
The National Agricultural Survey (ENA) prepared by the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses, specifies that of the total number of cattle counted in 2018, 61.8% corresponds to meat production, 15.8% was allocated to milk production, 22.2% dual purpose and finally, working animals represent 0.2%.
Between October 2018 and the same month in 2019, the number of cattle slaughtered in Panama increased 10%, while the slaughter of pigs decreased 6%.
According to the latest report of the General Comptroller of the Republic of Panama detail that in the first ten months of the year 283,227 head of cattle were slaughtered, a figure higher than the 270,214 reported in the same period of 2018.
The protocol allowing Guatemalan companies to sell live cattle in the neighboring country will come into effect on December 15, 2019.
After the negotiation process between Mexican and Guatemalan authorities has concluded and the sanitary regulations for the entry of animals have been approved, the Central American country has the green light to start selling live cattle.
Between January and September 2018 and the same period in 2019, the number of cattle slaughtered in Panama increased 4%, while the slaughter of pigs decreased 9%.
The most recent figures from the General Comptroller's Office of the Republic of Panama detail that in the first nine months of the year 252,143 head of cattle were slaughtered, a figure higher than the 242,270 reported in the same period of 2018.
Consistent with the downward trend reported in recent months, between January and August 2018 and the same period in 2019 the number of pigs slaughtered in the country fell 9%, while the slaughter of cattle grew 3% for the periods in question.
The most recent report of the General Comptroller of the Republic details that in the first eight months of the year 223,979 head of cattle were slaughtered, a figure higher than the 216,059 reported in the same period of 2018.
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