Argentina: Significant increase in pork consumption

According to JLU Consultora, pork consumption in Argentina is 23 kg per HEAD per year, of which 2.5 kg is sausage . The rest is consumed fresh.

Pork production, as of 2024 , was 1 million tons. Of this total, 1%, or about 100,000 tons, is exported , while between 2000 and 2001, pork production was between 200,000 and 180,000 tons. it is estimated that by 2032, production could reach 1.8 million tons, with about 200,000 tons exported.

The comments were made by livestock specialist Juan Uccelli, speaking on the programme Agroindustria en foco, which airs on Saturdays on AM 1220 Eco Medios.

"Between 2002 and 2003, pork consumption was 4 kg/h/year, of which 3 kg was used to make sausages and only 1 kg was consumed as fresh MEAT. In those years, the equivalent of 1 kg of pork belly could buy 2 kg of roast beef. Today, pork consumption reaches 23 kg per person, of which 2.5 kg is used to make sausages and the rest is consumed as fresh meat," Uccelli describes.

In this regard, the pork expert argues that if the equation were not reversed, local production would disappear as imported pork from Brazil would be consumed.

"We have taken advantage of the difficult situation for beef, which has already benefited from chicken, which is undoubtedly the most consumed meat in Argentina. Pork is growing, and now with the price of a kilo of roast beef you can buy 2 kilos of brisket, because its price has dropped significantly, as is happening all over the world," the specialist describes.

Regarding the type of pork consumed two decades ago compared to today, Uccelli says, "The concept of production has changed. We have gone through different stages. If you consider that until the 1990s we were pork producers, then we became pork producers, and now the concept has changed. Now we produce pork, and the quality of the pork we produce has also changed. These are quality products that are serious competitors to beef," he describes.

As for the prospects for pork production, the analyst is convinced that “within eight years we will equal beef consumption, reaching 32-33 kilograms per person per year.”

Import 

Regarding imports and the position of local producers, the consultant states that the producer produces pork that is slaughtered and sold. It is eaten fresh, which is popular with Argentine consumers. That is why it is sold in butchers and competes with imported frozen meat that comes from Brazil, which is frozen for two to three months, or from Denmark, which is frozen for six months. These are offers made for certain parts, such as bacon, which is used as a product with a designation of origin. "It is impossible to produce bacon with a designation of origin that is listed in Denmark," he explains.

In the same vein, Uccelli argues that pork production in Argentina is very efficient, but depends on the DOLLAR, which currently does not have a suitable price for EXPORT, coupled with a government that allows imports without any control, which is a critical situation that affects producers; “Especially since people eat less and less animal protein because they have no money,” he adds.

Currently, 99% of pork produced is consumed locally, but in a good year, 5% of production is exported. However, the analyst predicts: "Once Argentina normalizes its reporting and taxes are reduced, I believe 10% of production will be exported, and with this figure, our country will be among the top ten pork exporters."

Regarding the decline in the production of sausages, Uccelli attributes this effect to the strong competition in the market and the fact that “ever cheaper products are being produced, using less pork, and if two decades ago the share of pork in sausages reached 38%, today it barely reaches 26% or 27%, and the share of other products in production has increased, we have reduced the quality of the product and lost the opportunity to develop quality products, despite the fact that they are very good, like a good dry-cured ham.”