Argentina aims to export 1 mln tons of beef

Argentina’s meat processing industry is enthusiastically considering exporting between 900,000 and 1 million tonnes of beef by 2026.

The scenario combines very strong international demand with a more competitive exchange rate, which could boost supply.

The biggest challenge today is production: cow herds are shrinking, and while there are bulls, the industry sees them as insufficient compared to installed capacity and the scale of global demand.

China remains the largest buyer. In July, it imported 240,000 tonnes, up 15% from a year earlier, after nine months of decline. However, the Asian giant is putting pressure on prices: on average, it pays only 10% more, while global prices have risen by 20-25%. A change in purchasing patterns – more processed meat and less fine cuts after the US withdrawal – partly explains the difference.

In fact, Argentina’s exports rose by 16,200 tonnes from March to July, with 83% of this increase going to China. However, Brazil has made significant progress, shipping a record 158,000 tonnes to the Chinese market in July, a figure that will be repeated in August.

In November, Beijing will announce measures it will apply from 2026 to protect its battered domestic production. Decisions on possible quotas or tariff increases are expected.

In addition to the Asian giant, the Israeli and European markets are also growing dynamically. In the first case, Argentina accounts for 44% of imports and has already exported 17% more than in 2024. In the second case, sales increased by 19%, although Brazil and Uruguay also significantly expanded their presence.

Nevertheless, the outlook is encouraging: Argentina’s exports will reach around 830,000 tonnes this year, just 11% less than the 2024 record. This figure is significant: at the beginning of the year, a drop of 25-30% was predicted.

The future looks brighter: if global demand remains strong and the dollar supports it, Argentina can strengthen its position among the world’s largest beef exporters.

Tags: Beef cattle, Argentina