Argentina-Lamb exports increase.

LAMB EXPORTS.

Argentine lamb exports increased by 4% in volume and 21% in value, for the first ten months of 2008, compared with exports last year.

The figures released by SENASA, the agro-food and sanitary quality service, on Friday showed the volumes at 5,640 tons, valued at US$21.5 million, which is up from the figures of 2007 that were 5404 tons, valued at US$17.35 million.

The main export market was Spain 1,704 tons, valued at US$67 million, the United Kingdom with 849 tons, valued at US$3.2 million, Portugal 616 tons, valued at US$2.4 million, France 246 tons, valued at US$1.05 million, Israel 211 tons, valued at US$844,000 and Saudi Arabia 174 tons, valued at US$212,000.

The small lambs from Patagonia have a limited market as they are graded from 8-10 kilos, 10-12 kilos, 12-14 kilos and there are very few lambs over 14 kilos in weight.

Carcass trade is the only trade suitable, as they are far to small for cutting, having said this they are very succulent as slaughtered strait from the ewes full on milk.