Pork producers in Argentina and the US confront divergent market forces

Argentina’s pork sector recorded a 7.9% rise in production and a 6.4% increase in slaughter year‑on‑year, yet producers face a negative commercial balance. Imports continue to pressure prices, and the capón price lags behind inflation, squeezing margins for growers, especially in Entre Ríos. The sector is seeking new export markets to offset domestic shortfalls, according to data from the Fundación Agropecuaria para el Desarrollo de Argentina (FADA).

In the United States, pork growers are benefiting from China’s reduced imports after the African Swine Fever outbreak. Exports now account for about 25% of U.S. pork output, with Mexico absorbing roughly 40% of those shipments and becoming the top overseas buyer. A domestic promotion campaign, “Taste What Pork Can Do,” has generated strong retail sales, and producers have logged 23 consecutive profitable months. Nonetheless, the industry remains exposed to global market fluctuations.