Argentina pork consumption hits record high amid import competition

Pork consumption in Argentina has reached a historic high, with per capita consumption hitting approximately 20 kilograms per year. This growth is driven by significant price advantages over beef, which remains much more expensive. While beef consumption has seen a decline, pork has emerged as a competitive alternative for households seeking more affordable protein.

However, the local industry faces challenges due to the importation of cheap pork from Brazil. Experts note that Brazil is experiencing an excess of meat supply and lower production costs, allowing them to export products at very low prices. This influx of cheap imports is reportedly hurting local producers by suppressing the prices they receive, even though these lower costs are not being passed on to the Argentine consumer.

Additionally, concerns have been raised regarding the quality of imported Brazilian pork. Some industry consultants point out that certain production methods used in Brazil result in higher water absorption in the meat, which can lead to significant weight loss during cooking.