Argentina's chicken consumption overtakes beef for the first time

For the first time, chicken has become the most consumed animal protein in Argentina, with the average Argentine eating close to 50 kg per year. The shift, explained by CEPA chief executive Carlos Sinesi, reflects a two‑decade transformation of the poultry sector that raised annual production from about 0.7 million tonnes to more than 2.5 million tonnes.

The growth stems from genetic improvements, balanced feed, the use of artificial intelligence and greater processing efficiency, which have reduced feed‑to‑meat conversion to about 1.6 kg of feed per kilogram of meat. Consumer habits have also changed: shoppers now prefer cuts such as breasts, milanesas, wings and ready‑to‑cook products, valuing quick preparation.

The industry has recovered its sanitary status after recent avian‑influenza outbreaks. A nationally recognised zoning system allows exports to continue from unaffected zones, keeping more than 70 destinations open, although markets such as China and the European Union remain partially restricted. Sinesi dismissed myths about hormone use, noting that growth is driven solely by genetics and technology. About one billion chicks are born each year in Argentina, supporting both domestic demand and a growing export market.