Beef and buffalo meat market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine beef market began contracting in 2019 when the liberalization of exports for lower-quality cuts and bull meat opened access to markets like China. This drove export volumes up to 616,000 t by 2020, reducing domestic supply. Concurrently, stricter export requirements for the European Union, including the mandatory DJEC declaration, reinforced producers' focus on external markets.

In 2021, the introduction of domestic price controls, linked to the war in Ukraine, limited beef accessibility for local consumers, deepening the contraction. To mitigate the anticipated effects of drought, the PFPA subsidy program was launched, compensating producers for registered cattle. The program's expansion in 2022 encouraged herd recovery, lifting production to 3.15 million t. A 60-day opening of exporter registration also strengthened export capacity, allowing exports to reach 629,000 t, though the domestic market began recovering to 2.53 million t.

A 2023 revision of export methodology, which added the 'bone-in meat' category for China, significantly boosted registered export volumes to 681,000 t. Ongoing price controls continued to pressure domestic prices, but production rose to 3.29 million t thanks to producer support. In 2024, the lifting of the ban on seven popular cuts and a new trade agreement with the US, which increased the export quota, created further opportunities for Argentine beef in international markets.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Argentina ranked 5th globally in beef and buffalo meat production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Argentina's beef and buffalo meat production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 3,168 thousand tons, marking a slight increase of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Argentina's beef and buffalo meat output was $13,925 million US, reflecting a significant drop of 18.8% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 21.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

Argentina's beef and buffalo meat exports continued to grow for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 616.0 thousand tons, up 9.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 195.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 43.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China, Chile, and Germany were the top destinations for Argentina's beef and buffalo meat exports by volume. China accounted for 68.2% of exports, Chile for 7.2%, and Germany for 5.4%, together making up 80.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Argentina in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Argentina's beef and buffalo meat export value declined. In 2020, exports totaled $2,707 million US, down 11.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 108.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.8%. The peak was in 2019 at $3,074 million US, which also saw the largest annual increase of 59.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, China, Germany, and Chile consistently led as the top destinations for Argentina's beef and buffalo meat exports by value. China represented 56.2% of export value, Germany 11.1%, and Chile 7.9%, collectively accounting for 75.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Argentina in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

Argentina's beef and buffalo meat import volumes showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 33-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports were 10.0 thousand tons, a decrease of 20.7% from 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 13.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3,154.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina's beef and buffalo meat imports by volume were heavily concentrated on Brazil, which accounted for 94.1% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Argentina in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Argentina's beef and buffalo meat import value exhibited volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports were at their minimum in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2018, with a 29-fold difference. In 2020, imports were valued at $32 million US, down 7.0% from 2019. The peak value was in 2018 at $36 million US, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 2,807.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil was the dominant supplier of beef and buffalo meat to Argentina by value, accounting for 89.0% of total imports, while the remainder was distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Argentina in value, 2017-2020