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Abstract

The beef industry and meat supply chain face several challenges worldwide. These challenges imply increasing overall productivity in order to satisfy a growing population, while keeping a business profitability and product quality and yet minimising its environmental impact. The objective of this paper was to address consumers´ preferences, the effects of production systems on meat characteristics, and national policies and actions developed to improve Uruguayan beef industry competitiveness and exports. To do so, both local and foreign research was reviewed. In this context, sustainability arises as the big issue to be faced by beef production systems and its consideration will affect meat quality characteristics. To match consumers´ preferences and beef production systems will represent a major challenge for the meat industry around the world. Both private initiatives and public policies will be fundamental to achieve this goal.

Consumer Attitudes and Concerns about Beef Consumption in Argentina and Other South American Countries

“…In this context, addressing changes in consumer preferences and demands represents one of the main challenges faced by countries with a tradition in beef production and export, like several countries from South America that also have high levels of domestic consumption. Knowing how to link the demands of the different markets with the characteristics and particularities of the production systems is currently one of the keys to improving the competitiveness of the value chain [10]. However, the lack of integration in the beef value chain can generate inconsistencies and quality issues that negatively influence efforts to align production goals with consumer expectations.…”