The Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Forestry pointed out that the slaughter of cattle in the Azores continues to grow, especially in terms of local consumption. In the first two months of this year, it registered an increase of 6.3% compared to the same period of 2017.
 
"The most recent data on cattle slaughter in the Azores show a growth of 6.3% in local consumption, a trend that has remained in recent years," João Ponte said, adding that "the growth of beef consumption in the Region reached 17% between 2015 and 2017."
 
According to the Secretary for Agriculture, the data are "positive" and reflect the commitment taken by the Regional Government and farmers towards the promotion of the meat industry.
 
Besides the increase of local consumption in the first months of this year, João Ponte mentioned the "significant growth of exports," which reached 23%.
 
The Regional Secretary also pointed out the high demand for Azores meat in Mainland Portugal, not only due to the quality of the meat itself but also due to the increase in the export of live animals from Mainland Portugal to the Middle East and North Africa markets.
 
Moreover, the government official noted that the shortage of beef in the market, as claimed by butchers, is "false" because, "as soon as there is a rise in the price paid to producers, there is usually enough supply of beef to satisfy the local market."
 
"What is currently happening is that regional beef is more appreciated in Mainland Portugal than in the Region. This is the market working. Naturally, the market will be regulated in coming months," said João Ponte.
 
In this context, the government official stated that the maintenance period for dairy cows runs until May, which means that this shortage is cyclical. Therefore, the Government of the Azores has made the decision to reduce the maintenance period from June to May under POSEI.
 
João Ponte also assured that the suspension or withdrawal of support to the export of meat it is out of the question," which he considered “very important." In fact, they allow its export to Mainland Portugal, a market that pays more for the product.
 
"The price paid by the national market to producers is slightly higher than that paid for meat produced in the Region. If this support were to be called into question, the regional meat industry would become more fragile," stated the government official.
 
João Ponte also pointed out that there is not any kind of limitation in the access of Azorean consumers to beef, nor is there any interruption in supply or enforcement of prohibitive prices.
 
"Naturally, the best meat is sold in the local market at a higher price, but, as we know, there is meat sold at different prices, depending on the purchase option made by each Azorean consumer regarding the type and quality of meat. This has always been the case and it will continue to be so," stressed the Regional Secretary.