Uruguay’s meat sector participated again in the annual trade fair PRODEXPO in Moscow. During the five days trade fair, the Uruguayan Meats’ stand had a high attendance of public, particularly on the second and third day. On this occasion there were exhibitors of beef and lamb, to which has joined for the first time in Russia, a company of the poultry sector.
Uruguay participated in the pavilion where the other South American countries and local companies were. The market situation is currently without major changes in business, but there was an interest and attendance of people to the booth above previous expectations. It was possible to close some business in the traditional products exported to this destination (offals and trimmings).
Russia's economy has been slowly emerging from the recession and devaluation that started in 2014, while the ruble has stabilized near the target levels. In 2018, more economic activity is expected due to the Soccer’s World Cup. On the other hand, it is expected that it will continue the sanctions applied to Russia and the blockade on imports from the European Union and the United States. This has accentuated the self-supply policy that has been reflected in huge jumps in the production of grains, poultry and pork. There is a more competitive internal offer of these two proteins.
The Russian import projections for beef are somewhat lower than last year: about 480,000 tons (carcase weight equivalent). The market has been supplied by Brazil, Paraguay and Belarus. Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia have less participation. From now on, with a stable demand as well as its purchasing power, the situation for Uruguay's export sector will depend on the offer situation, and specifically the duration of the suspension to imports from Brazil.
