Source: Bob Moser, MEATINGPLACE, 12/7/11


The price of beef in Brazil was 10 percent higher in November compared to October, driven mainly by low volume in relation to demand, though prices are still lower than this time last year and should reduce in December on less demand for beef during the holidays, according to new data from Brazilian agriculture research firm Scot Consultoria.

The average price of beef in November was BRL105 ($58.65) per arroba, a popular measurement in Brazil for cattle traders equivalent to 15 kilos, or 33 lbs. That's down slightly from BRL110 at this time in 2010.
In Sao Paulo, beef prices rose roughly 11 percent from October to November at retail food vendors, from BRL8.40 ($4.69) per kilo to BRL9.30 ($5.19). November is generally considered the end of the “season” for strong beef sales in Brazil, as poultry and pork meat options typically dominate consumer choice during the December holidays.

Beef prices usually rise from May to November because it is Brazil's winter period, when little rainfall limits pasture growth, and in turn the cattle that graze there. Cattle are fed almost exclusively on grain during those winter months, and commodity prices have driven up costs for the final beef product.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.