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C H I NA DA I LY M O N D A Y, M A Y 6 , 2 0 1 3 uruguayspecial 7

Raising the standard


Coming from a long tradition of natural animal
husbandry, Uruguayan meat is both tasty and safe
With scare stories of processed wonder that the countrys National ly there for the taking. With four
meat products proliferating the Meat Institute (INAC), the official cows to every one of the 3.4 million
news, and a richer, ever-increasing body responsible for guaranteeing Uruguayans, and each cow enjoying
world population, more and more and promoting Uruguayan natural the equivalent of two football pitch-
people are demanding their beef meat abroad, actively seeks niche es to graze on, domestic consump-
from trusted sources. markets that are able to pay for this tion is only 20 percent of the total
Uruguay, with its long tradition vastly superior quality product. production, leaving 80 percent to be
of meat production and export, The first thing I would say is that sold abroad.
is proud to support a system that Uruguayan beef is safe, said Luis China imports 15 percent of Uru-
guarantees its customers 100 per- Alfredo Fratti Silveira, chairman of guays meat, and 50 percent of the
cent traceability. The Latin Ameri- the INAC. In todays climate, the giblets, but INAC is keen for it to take
can country currently exports 70 public increasingly wants to know more, and to participate financially

percent of its meat to more than 100 how safe the food is when they are in the production process.
China is Uruguays second-larg-
est trading partner, so the business
PHOTOS PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY
We can provide the history of each animal, culture is already set up, Fratti Sil- Uruguayan cows are among the most easily traced animals in the world.
where it was born, and its relationship with veira said. We would however, like
it to become our first trading partner.
other animals and that is a big advantage. Internationally, our meat is doing arembMarfrig Group; Frig- Year Awards 2009, and we have also that are known for producing high
exceptionally well. It is a gourmet orfico Carrasco, Frigorfico PUL been accredited with the ISO 27001 quality products. That challenge
LUIS FRATTI SILVEIRA, CHAIRMAN OF INAC food, and when it is served roasted a Minerva Foods Company; Certification for transparency, which will force us to keep improving and
on the bone, there is never any meat Frigorfico CanelonesJBS; Frig- is audited by the British Standards especially to continue to incorporate
left on the plate. orfico Durazno, Frigorfico Rosa- Institute. technology and modern methods
countries, with China, the European eating and where, and under what At the Shanghai Expo in 2010, rio; Frigoy, Frigorfico Schneck; As part of its marketing campaign, and to carry on trying to occupy the
Union, North America, and Russia conditions, it was processed. Uru- INAC noted that 90 percent of cus- Frigorfico Casa Blanca; Frigorfico INAC has developed a unique label- niches that pay better such as restau-
as its main markets. guayan meat is extremely natural tomers at the Uruguayan restaurant Sirsil; Frigorfico Las Moras; Frig- ling identification system, Pastures rants, hotels and cruise-liners.
For centuries, rural producers and uses applied technology that were Chinese, something Fratti Sil- orfico Solis Meat Uruguay; Frigor- Uruguay, that flags up the products Nobody wants to pay more for a
have applied careful humanitarian gives great confidence to the con- veira is particularly proud of. It is a fico Lorsinal; Frigorfico Breeders traceability advantage. It has created product they dont know anything
practices in the production of cattle sumer. myth that Chinese people do not eat & Packers Uruguay; Frigorfico San themed restaurants, boutiques and about, but with Uruguayan meat, the
and sheep following a harmonious We havent used hormones for 40 much meat, he said. JacintoNirea; Frigorfico Las Pie- other products that can be trans- quality is clear from the taste.
and sustainable process that has been years, and yet that issue is still being The companies allowed to export dras and Frigorfico Pando. formed into a franchise internation- Things are definitely moving in the
passed on between the generations. discussed in some countries. We can to China are: Frigorfico Tacu- ally and given a presence in major right direction. In 2016, for example,
The main cattle breeds are Her- provide the history of each animal, With a mission to grow cities around the world. Uruguay will host the 21st World
eford and Angus for beef and Cor- where it was born, and what its rela- The INAC is responsible for all meat We want to position the Uruguay- Meat Congress. With around 1,000
riedale for sheep. tionship was with other animals and processing in Uruguay, which, as an meat chain as a supplier of quality attendees, the biennial congress will
The use of hormones, antibiotics that is a big advantage. well as cows and sheep, includes products recognized by the control discuss the challenges of the meat
and animal proteins in the feed of From an economic perspec- horses, swine, goats, poultry, of its processes and the flexibility to industry, including how best to
cattle and sheep is outlawed, and tive, we benefit from being a rabbit, game, offal and meat adapt to consumer demands, Fratti produce and sell enough meat of
traceability is mandatory for every small country because we can products. Silveira said. Rather than being a the quality demanded by a growing
one of the countrys cattle stock. carry out complex systems We promote, coordinate commodity, Urguayan meat is a number of discerning consumers.
The process begins on the farm easily. Geographically, we and monitor the whole product with added value. Today,
when the animal is born and contin- have plains with gentle slopes, process: from production we are selling at prices similar to InFocus provided the story
ues in the industrial stage in all meat- rather than mountains and and processing, to mar- those of Australia and the US,
packing plants until it is slaughtered forests. We didnt have gold keting, storage and trans- whereas six or seven years ago, Uru-
through an electronic information and silver when the conquis- portation, Fratti Silveira guay sold at between 20 percent and
system. Not only that, but Uru- tadors came, and that means explained. Our system 30 percent less.
guayan beef is super healthy, with we have unspoilt land, full of achieved fourth place in The international market is a
low levels of fat, zinc, iron, vitamin livestock. On an international the USs Project Manage- demanding one, and I believe that
B, Omega 3 and vitamin E. Small export level, the meat is certain- ment Institutes Project of the we will remain among the countries

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