Argentina-Cattle prices collapse.

ARGENTINA.

CATTLE PRICES COLLAPSE.

The bottom has fallen out of the Argentine beef industry, with prices at their lowest levels since 2002.

There were 29,000 head of cattle on offer in Mercado de Liniers, for the first three days of last week and no demand at all, with many lots being sold at discount prices after the auction.

The auctioneers had their work cut out, and couldn’t even run the cattle on (when the auctioneer bids on himself to raise the price) as there was so little interest.

Cows took the biggest knock and were great value for money, assuming that you had a market for them.

Manufacturing cows 20 to 25c/kg USD

Steaker cows with good flesh 30 to35c/kg USD

Butchers cows 45 to 52c/kg USD

Bulls 50c/kg still a good trade for special market USD

Prime steers 68 to 72c/kg USD

Yearling steers 70 to 75c/kg USD

Yearling heifer 65to 70c/kg USD

Things in the provinces are far worse, the beef plants are not quoting, they are only paying realization