Chicken meat and offal market in Argentina

Earlier Report Observations

The Argentine market for fresh, chilled, and frozen chicken meat and offal expanded from 1 913 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 045 thousand tons by 2020. This initial growth was notably supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, as restrictions led consumers to purchase less frequently and store food longer, boosting demand for frozen poultry products over fresh ones. A concurrent improvement in consumer perception of frozen meat as comparable to fresh further encouraged this shift.

Market volume continued to rise to 2 145 thousand tons in 2021, sustained by post-pandemic retail demand for frozen items and investments in new processing plants, including one slated to become operational by late 2023. However, growth slowed to near stabilization in 2022 and 2023, with volumes reaching 2 150 thousand tons and 2 174 thousand tons respectively. During this period, high inflation eroded purchasing power, making consumers more price-sensitive and likely balancing between fresh and frozen options. The industry responded by launching new convenient frozen chicken products and emphasizing transparency in labeling.

In 2024, industry trends indicated chicken gaining further ground in the Argentine diet as consumers substituted it for more expensive beef. Ongoing investments in production facilities and active export markets continued to influence the sector.

Production chicken meat and offal in Argentina

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

On a global scale, Argentina ranked as the 10th largest producer of chicken meat and offal during the period from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of chicken meat and offal, 2017-2020

Argentina's production of chicken meat and offal grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 219 thousand tonnes, marking a 0.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 068 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 2.2%. In contrast, the most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production jumped by 6.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, the value of chicken meat and offal production in Argentina fell in 2020. That year, output was valued at 3 051 million US dollars, representing a substantial decrease of 11.1% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, however, production value still increased by 3.2%, averaging a 1.0% annualized rate. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 3 431 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 12.9%.

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

Exports chicken meat and offal from Argentina

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Argentina's exports of chicken meat and offal totaled 179.5 thousand tonnes, down by 22.1% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 12.1%, equating to an average annual decrease of 4.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 162.4 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 230.5 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 41.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, South Africa, and Chile were the primary destinations for Argentina's chicken meat and offal exports in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 62.2% of total exports, with China leading at 36.6%, followed by South Africa at 17.4%, and Chile at 8.1%.

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

Argentina's exports of chicken meat and offal in value terms amounted to 246.7 million US dollars in 2020, a decrease of 31.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 13.5%, averaging an annual decline of 4.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 238.7 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 359.0 million US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 50.4%.

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

During 2017–2020, China, Chile, and South Africa remained the key buyers of chicken meat and offal from Argentina in value terms. Collectively, they represented 67.0% of total exports, with China dominating at 49.8%, Chile at 9.1%, and South Africa at 8.1%.

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

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

Imports chicken meat and offal to Argentina

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of chicken meat and offal into Argentina showed volatility from 2017 to 2020. The lowest point was in 2017, while imports peaked in 2018, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports stood at 5.4 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest increase of 6.5% over the previous year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 6.6 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 215.7%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina's imports of chicken meat and offal in volume terms were heavily concentrated on Brazil and Uruguay, which together accounted for 94.0% of total imports.

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

The value of chicken meat and offal imports into Argentina exhibited volatility during the observed period. The trough was in 2017, and the peak in 2018, with a 3.5-fold gap between them. In 2020, imports were valued at 6.1 million US dollars, down by 8.0% from the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 13.6 million US dollars, which recorded the largest increase of 248.8%. The most substantial decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 50.8%.

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

Over 2017–2020, the import market in value terms was largely shaped by Brazil and Uruguay, which together made up 89.9% of total imports.

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

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