Buenos Aires butchers face 40% sales drop amid shifting consumption

Butchers in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area (AMBA) are facing a critical economic crisis as sales volume has dropped by 40% compared to last year. Due to a loss of consumer purchasing power and rising fixed costs—such as rent and public services—merchants are freezing retail prices and absorbing losses to prevent business closures.

This downturn has triggered a historic shift in dietary habits: for the first time, poultry consumption has surpassed beef consumption in the country. Because the cost of beef is significantly higher than poultry, families are increasingly opting for more affordable options like chicken thighs or wings. To adapt, traditional neighborhood butcher shops are restructuring their displays to offer a greater variety of pork and poultry products.