Argentine ranchers raise cattle weight to tap booming beef export markets

Higher global beef prices and new trade agreements signed by President Javier Milei are prompting Argentine ranchers to increase cattle size before slaughter. Producers such as Guillermo Del Barrio now keep steers at around 550 kg instead of the former 300 kg, aiming to meet rising demand abroad.

Analysts forecast that Argentine beef exports could grow up to 50 % over the next four years, boosted by the February US‑Argentina trade deal and the provisional EU‑Mercosur agreement. Shipments to the United States rose 158 % in the first five months of the year to 41,770 metric tons, worth $348 million, while overall export volumes increased 8 % to 271,000 metric tons and revenues jumped 44.7 % to $1.83 billion. The sector is shifting from a domestic‑consumption focus to a more export‑oriented model.