Argentina beef sector confronts deregulation plan and shopper pullback

The Association of Refrigerators and Meat Industrials (AFIC) joined other industry voices in opposing Minister Federico Sturzenegger’s draft law to make contributions to the Instituto de Promoción de la Carne Vacuna Argentina (Ipcva) voluntary. AFIC warned the government against a “tremendous error,” saying the move could lead to the institute’s closure and undermine its role in price surveys, market studies, promotion campaigns and support for exports, including China’s approval of new slaughterhouses.

At the same time, Fernando Savore, vice‑president of the Federation of Storekeepers of Buenos Aires Province (FABA) and the Confederación General de Almaceneros Nacional (CGA), explained that Argentine families are shifting purchases from large supermarkets to neighbourhood stores because of rising prices, high VAT and gross‑income taxes. Sales data show a marked migration to local shops, where small retailers can offer up to 100% cheaper prices than national brands, highlighting the urgent need to reduce tax burdens on the food chain.