Argentinians consume more chicken than beef for the first time

For the first time in history, chicken has become the most consumed type of meat in Argentina, surpassing the country’s traditional preference for beef. Average annual chicken consumption has reached 50 kg per person, compared with 47.5 kg of beef, reflecting a long-term shift in consumer habits.

According to Carlos Sinesi, Executive Director of the Poultry Processing Companies Center (CEPA), chicken consumption has been rising steadily since the early 2000s. During that period, Argentina’s poultry production expanded from 700 thsd tons to more than 2.5 mln tons, while export markets also grew significantly. Consumers are increasingly choosing chicken cuts and ready-to-cook products instead of whole birds.

One of the main drivers behind this shift has been chicken’s lower price compared with beef. In addition, poultry is quicker and more convenient to prepare, making it better suited to modern lifestyles. Meanwhile, Argentina’s beef consumption fell to its lowest level in more than two decades in May 2026.

The industry has also benefited from Argentina remaining free of avian influenza for several months. Poultry producers are working to reopen export markets, particularly China and the European Union, which remain partially closed. Around 1 billion broiler chickens are raised in the country each year, allowing producers to fully supply the domestic market while expanding exports.

Industry representatives also stressed that the rapid growth of broiler chickens is not linked to the use of hormones. Instead, they attribute higher production efficiency to advances in genetics, balanced nutrition, and modern farming technologies. Today, Argentina exports a wide range of poultry products to more than 70 international markets, tailoring shipments to the preferences of individual destinations.

Tags: chicken, Beef cattle