Argentina’s cattle sector hits record weight and export surge in May 2026

In May 2026 Argentina’s beef cattle achieved an average slaughter weight of 240 kg per head, the highest monthly figure in more than three decades. The average for the first five months of the year was 236 kg, six kilograms above the same period in 2025. Officials attribute the rise to a favourable feed‑cost-to‑live‑weight ratio, longer rearing periods and record occupancy of feedlots, alongside a more predictable macro‑economic environment that encourages long‑term investment.

Exports of Argentine beef also rebounded strongly. May shipments totalled 58.6 thousand tonnes, generating USD 425.1 million – a 23.3 % rise in volume and a 28.6 % increase in revenue versus April. The average export price reached USD 7 251 per tonne, the highest since the market peak of April 2022. Exports to the United States surged 369 % year‑on‑year, with 11 000 tonnes worth USD 86 million. China remained the dominant market, absorbing about 60 % of the total volume.

The combined weight record and export growth underscore a strengthening Argentine beef sector, driven by both productivity gains on farms and higher international prices.