Argentina meat market shifts as poultry consumption overtakes beef

Argentina's meat industry is undergoing a significant structural shift as poultry consumption surpasses beef for the first time. Driven by a decline in purchasing power, consumers are opting for cheaper proteins; data indicates that one kilogram of beef costs approximately three to three and a half times more than whole chicken.

In the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA), butcheries report a 40% year-on-year drop in sales volume. Many small business owners are struggling to survive, often absorbing rising structural costs like rent and utilities to avoid losing customers entirely. While some sectors of the livestock industry see potential in improved genetics and higher slaughter weights to meet international demand, the domestic market remains depressed.

Statistical data from IERAL shows that while total meat consumption remains relatively stable, the composition has changed. Annual per capita poultry consumption reached 47 kilograms, slightly edging out beef at 46.7 kilograms. Meanwhile, the livestock market faces stagnant prices for cattle, with real values for steers and heifers declining despite export opportunities.