Chile resumes importing meat and livestock from Patagonia

The resolution, eagerly awaited by the livestock sector, lifts the suspension of imports of Patagonian livestock products, which was imposed at the end of July. This was announced following the completion of a technical audit conducted in Argentina by Chile's Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).

Chile took corrective measures after the Argentine government amended its sanitary regulations, passing Resolution SENASA 460/2025, allowing the import of bone-in meat from regions where vaccination is practiced to regions where traditional vaccination is not practiced, such as Patagonia. The Chilean Special Veterinary Inspectorate initially assessed this change as a potential risk to animal health and decided to suspend imports   pending an analysis of the new epidemiological situation.

However, following intensive negotiations between SENASA and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Argentine Ministry of Economy, as well as an on-site inspection carried out by SAG officials in September, Chilean authorities concluded that Argentina maintains sanitary conditions that meet international standards.

In its official statement, SAG noted that “the optimal health and safety conditions observed in Argentine Patagonia are in line with the requirements set by Chile,” which helped restore bilateral trust and accelerate the resumption of trade.

Facilitating regional trade

Before the suspension, Argentina exported primarily lamb bone-in, breeding bulls, and animal genetic material to Chile, with annual export volumes reaching nearly $30 million. The lifting of restrictions is expected not only to restore this trade flow but also to create new opportunities for growth in livestock trade between the two countries.

The decision came at a key moment for the Argentine economy, as lamb exports are seasonally concentrated in the first months of the year. Thanks to SENASA's planning, which prioritized technical dialogue with their Chilean counterparts, the conflict was resolved before it could impact commercial activity in 2026.

Formal recognition and commercial future

The new recognition will be formalized by a tax exemption decree published in the Official Gazette of Chile and will take effect immediately upon its adoption. This will pave the way for the resumption of exports from the Patagonian provinces to the Chilean market.

The Argentine government emphasized that this restitution is in support of the technical and medical work carried out by SENASA, which has implemented key reforms over the past two years to strengthen the country's foot-and-mouth disease-free status. Argentina currently has four foot-and-mouth disease-free zones: three without vaccination (all in Patagonia and Calingaste) and one with vaccination, all officially recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO).