Livestock farming in Mercosur: Brazil bets on volume and Argentina on added value

Brazilian consultant Roberto Barcelos participated in the Central Livestock Expo and provided clear definitions about the present and future of livestock in Mercosur. With over 30 years of experience in all stages of the meat chain, Barcelos argued that each country in the region must leverage its natural aptitudes to compete intelligently in the global market. “Brazil has the ease of producing a very cheap animal, with great competitiveness due to the integration of livestock with agriculture. It can offer commodity beef at a low cost to markets such as China, Russia, Chile, or the Middle East, which do not seek differentiated quality,” he noted. Barcelos clarified that projects are also beginning to emerge in his country to cater to a more demanding domestic consumer, accustomed to Argentine and Uruguayan beef. However, he clarified that projects are also beginning to emerge in his country to cater to a more demanding domestic consumer, accustomed to Argentine and Uruguayan ...