Beef consumption in Argentina falls to record low

Beef consumption in Argentina has fallen to its lowest level since official records began in 1914. According to the Argentine Chamber of Meat Industry and Trade (CICCRA), annual per capita beef consumption has declined to approximately 46 kg. By comparison, Argentines consumed more than 80 kg of beef per person annually in the late 1960s, while consumption fell below 50 kg for the first time in 2023.

The main reasons for declining consumption are reduced purchasing power and gradually changing dietary habits. High beef prices are increasingly encouraging consumers to switch to more affordable meats, particularly poultry and pork. According to CICCRA estimates, domestic beef consumption totaled approximately 1.37 mln tons in carcass weight during the first eight months of 2026, down 11.3% compared with the same period in 2023.

Despite the prolonged decline in demand, Argentina remains one of the world’s leading meat-consuming countries. In 2023, total consumption of all types of meat reached 122.7 kg per person, the highest level in Latin America. Meanwhile, consumption patterns are gradually shifting toward poultry and pork, which are increasingly competing with beef, traditionally the dominant meat in the Argentine market.

Production stagnation remains an additional challenge for the industry. In 2024, Argentina produced approximately 3.18 mln tons of beef, roughly the same volume as half a century earlier, despite substantial population growth. Competition for agricultural land from crop production, economic crises, export restrictions and recurring droughts have constrained cattle herd expansion and discouraged investment in livestock farming.

Amid weakening domestic demand, Argentine producers are becoming increasingly focused on international markets. In 2024, approximately one-third of the country’s beef production was exported, with China remaining the largest buyer. Further declines in domestic consumption could increase the volume of beef available for export and strengthen the industry’s dependence on international demand. Analysts expect the shift toward export markets to continue if Argentine consumers’ purchasing power remains weak and competition from poultry and pork intensifies.

Tags: Beef cattle, Argentina