The Global Livestock Report

The cattle market in Paraguay remains firm, with very limited supply and slaughterhouse bookings mostly running at around one week. According to an intermediary, prices discussed a few days ago around US$/kg 4.50 “do not reflect reality,” as current business is concentrated between US$/kg 4.60 and US$/kg 4.65 for common males, with spot deals reaching as high as US$/kg 4.80 depending on load and conditions.

Amid tight supply and favorable demand prospects from North America and Europe, export steer prices climbed another step, by around Ar$ 100 per kilo on the hook.

While final figures are still pending, preliminary official data indicate that 1.014 million cattle were slaughtered in January, nearly 12% less year on year and the lowest monthly figure since January 2022.

Almost in parallel with the framework agreement on trade and investment signed by the United States and Argentina covering nearly 1,700 products across various sectors, President Donald Trump issued an executive order establishing an 80,000-ton tariff-rate quota for beef imports and allocating it to Argentina.

Prices for slaughter cattle —as well as across the entire livestock complex, including replacement and breeding stock— continue to show a strong upward trend that has prevailed throughout the year. Market conditions are unchanged from last week: a very limited supply of grassfed finished cattle and strong international demand.

Supported by tight supply and strong demand from both the domestic market and exports, the average value of the fat male in Brazil’s main cattle-producing regions jumped this week.