A significant increase in beef production was seen in Chile in 2012, breaking the downward trend which has been seen sine April 2011. Beef production increased 15.2 per cent to 16,629 tonnes at the start of the year. The Chilean herd seems to be retaining heifers for herd expansions, with 56 per cent of cattle slaughtered being steers.

Poultry and pig production in January increased 9.5 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively. Pig production has been growing steadily over recent years thanks to an increase in production capacity, with more and more producers focusing on exporting pork products, rather than selling to the domestic market.

An increase in broilers and turkeys is responsible for the increase in poultry production, with turkey production increasing 10.5 per cent in January 2012 compared to the same month the previous year.

It is likely that production of poultry and turkeys has increased due to more demand for lower priced proteins, as beef prices continue to remain high.

Meat exports in general seemed to be up at the start of 2012. Beef exports increased 2.5 per cent, with a total of 364 tonnes exported. Much of this increase in exports went to Germany.

Pork exports were up 17.1 per cent. Whilst South Korea and Japan are the main export markets, exports to China and Russia increased.

On the contrary, poultry exports fell marginally by 0.7 per cent in the first month of the year.