Argentina exported a total 100.46 million tonnes in 2019 (grains, oils and by-products), compared to 73 mln in the previous year, according to the Undersecretary of Agricultural Markets, with China’s COFCO coming out top.

Argentina produced 771.2 million litres of milk in February, falling by 10.8% month-on-month but increasing by 15.4% year-o-year, according to the National Dairy Directorate of Argentina, under the country's Ministry of Agriculture (DNL-MAGyP).

In a reversal of recent trends, pork prices weakened in Brazil last week while chicken gained ground as consumers stocked up supermarkets due to concerns over Covid-19.

China is preparing to receive its first shipments of sheep meat from Argentina and beef from Russia – two countries which have been helping the country fill gaps in Chinese animal protein supplies.

The Covid-19 pandemic is currently not having a major impact on the grains market in Brazil, according to INTL FCStone.

Wholesale beef prices stayed firm in Brazil last week as domestic demand surpassed expectations. This helped support prices for slaughter-ready cattle, supplies of which remain tight.