Mexico: Why has the price of meat gone up if there are more cattle

The article highlights concerns raised by Óscar Cubillos, the head of Fedegán-FNG's Office of Economic Planning and Investigations, regarding the increasing prices of beef and other food products in Bogotá, Colombia. Cubillos challenges the blame placed on cattle ranchers for these price increases, stating that the media often repeats misinformation spread by meat packing companies about export-related issues. He attributes the price hikes to economic recovery from the pandemic and general inflation. Despite slaughterhouses reporting a shortage of animals for slaughter and a growing bovine inventory, Cubillos suggests that clandestine slaughter and cattle smuggling from Venezuela are contributing to the perceived shortage. He also criticizes intermediaries in the meat processing chain for passing the costs to consumers and calls for authorities to combat illegal activities in the sector. The article predicts that meat prices will follow a typical pattern of increasing in December and January, then stabilizing from February to April, before rising again in the middle of the year due to holiday demand.