ARGENTINE lamb exports rose by 4 per cent in volume and 21 per cent in value in the first eight months of this year, compared to 2007 figures.
The figures released by SENASA, the country's agro-food and sanitary quality service, on Friday reported volumes at 5,640 tonnes, with a value of US$21.5 million, up from 5404 tonnes and US$17.35 million last year.
The main export market was Spain, which received 1,704 tonnes valued at US$67 million; the United Kingdom, which received 849 tonnes valued at US$3.2 million; Portugal which received 616 tonnes valued at US$2.4 million; France, which received 246 tonnes valued at US$1.05 million; Israel with 211 tonnes valued at US$844,000 and Saudi Arabia with 174 tonnes valued at US$212,000.
Small kambs from Patagonia have a limited market as they are graded from 8-10kgs , 10-12 kgs, 12-14 kgs and there are very few lambs over 14 kgs in weight..