Export of Argentine meat to Israel guaranteed by new agreement

Days after the new beef EXPORT scheme went into effect for the next two years, Agriculture Minister Julián Dominguez met with Israeli Ambassador to Argentina Galit Ronen.

The national official confirmed that the export of kosher beef to the Israeli market is guaranteed. This happened after a special quota of 3,500 tons per month for this country expired at the end of the year. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of Argentina to Israel, Sergio Urribarri.

The HEAD of the agricultural portfolio emphasized that Israel is one of the main buyers of domestic beef along with CHINA, Chile and the European Union. Minister Dominguez at the end of the meeting said: “On behalf of President Alberto Fernandez, we ratify through an agreement between countries that the export of MEAT is guaranteed. We are working to bring predictability and confidence to the livestock sector and friendly countries such as Israel, where we have built historical, cultural and commercial relationships for 70 years.”

Ambassador Urribarri said Argentina's exports to Israel grew by 30% in 2021 and the final figure will exceed US $338 million .

“In less than two years, our surplus with Israel has doubled and is already over $200 million,” he said. In addition, he stressed that more than 56% of the country's total exports to Israel in 2021 were frozen and chilled beef, worth more than $191 million. “40% of all Israeli fresh meat imports come from Argentinean meat, an extremely popular product in the country,” he said.

Urribarri also recalled that in order to import beef into Israel, it must have a kosher certificate. All this was a big challenge during the pandemic, when efforts were redoubled to achieve the set goals, and therefore to consolidate the sources of work and foreign exchange earnings.

According to data provided by the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in the first eleven months of 2021, beef exports amounted to 524.2 thousand tons, indicating a year-on-year drop of 11.2%.

During the same period, export turnover reached $2,529.7 million, just 0.3% higher than in the first eleven months of last year. The decline in exports was fully offset by an increase in the average declared price.

China continues to lead in demand for Argentinean meat, with total imports of 387.7 thousand tons, accounting for 74.0% of total exports and generating foreign exchange earnings of $1,499.6 million. Between January and November, sales to Israel were 28,092 tons, up 13.7% from 2020.