Family-owned · Grass-fed · Hormone-free · 19 export countries
BRC
SGS
UKAS
Hilton Quota
Never Ever 3
HQB
Natural Beef
Our Story
Founded in 1955, Frigorífico Pando has grown from a domestic slaughterhouse into one of Uruguay's most respected independent beef exporters. When Roberto Urgal and Daniel Passanante took the helm in 1992, they committed to something rare: keeping the company family-owned and family-operated while reaching the world's most demanding markets.
Today, Frigorífico Pando is one of only approximately five remaining independent meatpackers in Uruguay — a market increasingly dominated by Brazilian multinationals. That independence is a competitive strength. Decisions are made here, not in São Paulo. Quality is personal, not corporate.
Operating across 150 hectares in Pando, Canelones, we process approximately 400,000 head of cattle per year and ship grass-fed, hormone-free, fully traceable Uruguayan beef to 19 countries across five continents.
Founded 1955. Same family ownership. Rooted in Uruguay's Gaucho cattlemen tradition dating to 1611.
Family capital, not multinational. One of ~5 remaining independent frigoríficos in Uruguay.
Uruguay's individual-animal traceability system since 1973. SEIIC Black Box integration. Every cut tracked from farm to port.
100% grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free. Deforestation-free supply chain. Natural pampas pastures.
Quality Assurance
Every market has its standards. We hold them all. From USDA approval for the U.S. market to EU and Hilton Quota for European buyers — our certifications open doors worldwide.
Certified for export to the United States under USDA FSIS Establishment 439. Full HACCP compliance verified by FSIS inspectors.
British Retail Consortium Global Standard for Food Safety — recognized by major UK and international retail buyers.
Certified participant in the European Union's Hilton Quota program for premium, high-quality grass-fed beef cuts.
Never administered antibiotics, growth hormones, or animal by-products — a key certification for the premium U.S. retail market.
HQB certification under INAC Uruguay's high-quality beef program — guaranteeing breed, age, and feeding standards.
INAC-certified natural meat program. Grass-fed, no growth promotants, individual traceability from birth to slaughter.
SGS inspection and testing — the world's leading quality certification body, trusted by buyers across all markets.
UKAS accreditation provides independent confirmation of our quality management competence for international trade.
Premio Industria — Industry Excellence Recognition
Product Range
From premium chilled grass-fed cuts to frozen manufacturing beef and specialty programs — a full range to meet every buyer's requirements.
Striploin, tenderloin, ribeye and rump from grass-fed Uruguayan cattle. Fine marbling, consistent weights, EU and US eligible. Vacuum-packed, chilled or frozen.
View premium cutsPicanha (top sirloin cap), cuadril (rump cap) and brisket — the cuts that put Uruguayan beef on the global map. Ideal for churrasco, BBQ and premium retail.
View specialty cutsShort ribs, oxtails and bone-in cuts ideal for slow cooking, Korean BBQ and Hispanic foodservice. High demand in US, Caribbean and Asian markets.
View BBQ cutsHalal-certified heavy lamb carcass, French-trimmed lamb rack, and bone-in shoulder. Pasture-raised, strong demand across MENA, EU and premium Asian foodservice.
View lamb rangeHalal-certified lamb offal, beef omasum (book tripe) registered for China, plus liver, kidney, heart and tongue. IQF or block frozen. HACCP and GACC compliant.
View offalsClean, grass-fed beef trim and rendered tallow for food manufacturing, premium pet food, cosmetics and biodiesel. Consistent specs, container-scale availability.
View by-productsTraceability
Uruguay is one of only a handful of countries with a mandatory, government-administered individual cattle traceability system — operational since 1973. Every animal that enters our facility carries a complete life history: birth date, breed, owner, farm, movements, and health status.
Our facility integrates directly with Uruguay's SEIIC (National System for Animal Information and Identification), providing real-time traceability data to importing authorities worldwide.
SRGA registration combined with K2B enterprise resource planning ensures full chain-of-custody from the moment cattle enter our corrals to when the container is sealed at port.
Aligned with Uruguay's national natural meat certification program — the basis is traceability. Each carcass can be traced back to an individual animal, farm, and pasture.
Global Reach
Since 1996, Frigorífico Pando has exported to markets with the world's highest sanitary and quality requirements. Our certifications, traceability infrastructure, and consistent product quality have made us a trusted supplier across five continents.
USA
EU
China
Canada
Israel
Chile
Mexico
Russia
Norway
Switzerland
South Korea
Also exporting to: Saudi Arabia · UAE · Japan · Philippines · Brazil · Peru · Singapore · and more
Regulated and certified by INAC Uruguay (National Institute of Meat)
Visit INAC Uruguay →
Our Plant
Frigorífico Pando's plant in Pando, Canelones is designed and maintained to meet the exacting requirements of the world's most demanding importing countries. From open and roofed corrals built to OIE animal welfare standards, to state-of-the-art chilling and freezing infrastructure — every area reflects our commitment to quality.
FAQ
Frigorífico Pando holds USDA Establishment 439 (for U.S. export), BRC Global Standard, EU approval, Hilton Quota certification, Halal certification, HACCP compliance, and the Never Ever 3 program. We are also SGS/UKAS accredited and enrolled in INAC Uruguay's High Quality Beef (HQB) and Natural Beef programs.
We export to 19 countries including the United States, European Union member states, China, Canada, Israel, Chile, Mexico, Russia, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Japan, Philippines, Brazil, Peru, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Yes. All cattle processed at Frigorífico Pando are 100% grass-fed and pasture-raised on Uruguay's natural pampas. Animals are never administered growth hormones, antibiotics for growth promotion, or animal by-products. This is certified under the Never Ever 3 and Natural Beef Uruguay programs.
USDA Establishment 439 is Frigorífico Pando's official registration number with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS). This number authorizes us to export beef products to the United States market and appears on all export documentation and labels for U.S.-bound shipments.
Use the contact form below and select "Pricing / Quote" as the inquiry type. Include your company name, country, volumes of interest, and the cuts or programs you're considering. Our export team will respond within one business day with pricing, specifications, and shipping options.
Get In Touch
Our export specialists are available Monday to Friday, 08:00–17:00 UYT. We respond to all inquiries within one business day.
"Exporting quality Uruguayan beef since 1955. Independent. Traceable. Uruguayan."