TL;DR: Argentine beef production and consumption drop, exports stable.
In Argentina, beef production dropped 7.8% this year and 13.3% compared to last year, per CICCRA data. In March alone, exports were about 85,000 tons, staying stable. However, Argentinians’ beef consumption fell sharply by 17.6% in the first quarter, hitting a 30-year low.
Meanwhile, the USDA notes that U.S. beef exports have surged, more than tripling from $250 million in 2021 to $784 million.
A significant factor was the 19.3% reduction in male cattle slaughtered in March. Overall, there were 278,000 fewer slaughters than in 2023. The drop links to a prolonged drought, reducing calving rates.
