Brazil: Meatpackers reduce prices on beef purchases with extended slaughter scales

The Brazilian beef cattle market has seen a drop in prices throughout this week, and experts indicate that this trend may continue in the short term. According to analyst Fernando Iglesias, from Safras & Mercado, meatpacking plants have taken advantage of longer slaughter schedules to test lower prices when purchasing beef. The difficulty in passing on beef prices throughout the production chain is another factor contributing to the drop in prices. This is due to the behavior of Brazilian consumers, who still tend to opt for proteins with lower added value. However, exports continue to be the main escape valve for the market, as Iglesias notes. On December 12, the prices per arroba of beef cattle in the main trading centers in Brazil were as follows: In the wholesale market, prices remained stable throughout the week. Iglesias points out that, given the high prices of beef cuts, consumers are prioritizing proteins with lower added value, such as pork cuts, which replace beef ...