Argentina: Pork production boosted by domestic consumption growth in 2024

In 2024 , pig slaughter amounted to 8,302,903 heads, up 2.7% from 2023. Buenos Aires led the way with 50.3% of the annual slaughter, amounting to 4,178,443 heads. Santa Fe and Cordoba contributed significantly with 17.7% and 16.5%, respectively.

December was a particularly positive month with slaughter increasing to 757,238 HEAD, the highest since July (794,595 head). This was 9.4% more than December of the previous year and 13.8% more than November.

Over the past five years, pig slaughter has grown by 19%, from 7 million head in 2020 to more than 8.3 million head in 2024, an increase of 1.3 million head. A significant achievement for the industry.

Pork production in 2024 reached 785,047 tons (t), an increase of 3.0% compared to 2023. This growth reflects significant progress in the Argentine pork industry despite the circumstances of the past year.

In December, 68,024 tonnes were produced, up 8.9% from the same month last year and 10.7% above the November total (61,462 tonnes).

The average carcass weight in December was 90 kg, which is similar to the same month of the previous year and 2 kg less than in November.

The average carcass weight in 2024 was 95 kg, 1 kg higher than the 2023 average, indicating a positive trend for this key indicator.

In 2024, pork exports increased significantly by 30.2% compared to 2023, from 11,154 to 14,526 tons (t). This increase was also reflected in the EXPORT value, which reached US $14.9 million , an increase of 45.8% over the analyzed period. However, 1,012 tons were exported in December, down 8.2% compared to the same month in 2023 and up 6.0% compared to November.

Pork imports in 2024 amounted to 22,674 tons, valued at US$69.5 million, up 38.1% compared with 2023. In December, imports reached 5,498 tons, up 1,004.4% compared with the same month of the previous year, and up 44.7% compared with November.

A significant increase in pork imports in December resulted in a trade deficit of US$15.3 million for the pork sector. During the year, the accumulated deficit reached US$54.6 million, up 23.4% from 2023 (US$44.2 million). Apparent consumption reached 805,685 t in 2024, up 3.7% from 2023 (777,154 t), while per capita consumption as of December was estimated at 18.67 kg/inhabitant.