Argentina beef prices stabilize in July despite high annual inflation

Beef prices in Argentina showed signs of stabilization in July 2026, though they remain more than 50% higher than the previous year. According to the Instituto de Promoción de la Carne Vacuna Argentina (IPCVA), the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) saw an average monthly decrease of 0.7%, while Rosario and Córdoba experienced slight increases of 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively.

Year-on-year comparisons reveal significant inflation in the sector, with price hikes exceeding 50% in all major surveyed regions. In AMBA, the average price reached $18,478 per kilo, representing a 52.4% increase compared to July 2025. Córdoba reported the highest average price at $19,532 per kilo, a 56.2% annual increase.

In the livestock market, cattle prices began to recover in July. Data from the Mercado Agroganadero (MAG) indicated average increases of 3.7% for steers, 1.8% for young bulls, and 1.3% for heifers. However, experts note that this recovery is tempered by cautious consumer demand and a potentially increasing supply in the coming months. This follows a period of divergence where retail meat prices rose significantly while livestock raw material prices remained relatively flat.