Cape Verde Beef

Facts about beef in Cape Verde

• One of the most famous dishes on this island is called Catchupa and is a stew made with beans and hominy and with meat
• Meat is one of the main elements of most Cape Verde dishes and cured and smoked hams are often parts of delicious dishes.
• About 75% of meat must be imported. Cape Verde annually runs a high trade deficit- financed by foreign aid and remittances from emigrants;
• Fish and shellfish are plentiful- and small quantities are exported. However- livestock potential- mostly beef and cattle- is not fully exploited.
• Periodic droughts have significantly lowered the capacity of the islands to pasture livestock. In 2004 there were an estimated 205-000 pigs- 112-500 goats- 22-500 head of cattle- 14-500 asses- 9-500 sheep- and 1-850 mules. Total meat production in 2004 was 8-554 tons (up from 5-000 tons in 1996)- with pork accounting for over 80%.