Uruguay sheep exports up

Sheep meat exports were up for the year 2007-2008 by 32%, live sheep exports were up by 49%.

Wool exports totaled 60 million kilos, that went mainly to China for a value of US$320 million.

Lamb and mutton exports totaled US$68.3 million, sheepskins exported totaled US$3.1 million and live sheep exports totaled US$9.2 million.

The sheep flock is mow at 9.2 million head, which is down 300,000 from last year.

The sheep flock 10 years ago was 26 million. There are still 60,000 jobs in Uruguay directly connected to the sheep and wool industry.

The sheep industry has suffered to the rise in crop farming, owing to world high prices for grain and soy.