Chile's beef output slumps while Argentina's exports surge

In Chile's Ñuble region, beef production fell 21.3% in May 2026 compared with a year earlier, marking the eighth consecutive annual decline and placing the region fourth nationally. The national beef output also dropped 11.4% in May, with a 14.2% contraction recorded over the January‑May period. Declines were reported across all categories, including calves, heifers, cows and young stock. Industry leaders cite rising production costs and a surge of cheap imported meat from Paraguay and Brazil, which now accounts for roughly 70‑75% of Chile's beef consumption, as major pressures on domestic producers.

Conversely, Argentina experienced a 46% increase in beef export value between January and May 2026. The surge is linked to tighter global supply, high U.S. cattle prices, sustained demand from Europe and China, and a more open trade policy. Analysts note that Argentina's traditional livestock advantages, combined with better international prices and new investment avenues—such as cattle‑focused funds and agribusiness services—could translate into significant foreign‑exchange earnings for the country.

The opposing trends highlight a diverging South American beef market: Chile grapples with falling domestic production and competition from imports, while Argentina leverages a global boom to expand its export footprint.