Argentina's beef exports rise to highest level in decades

Data showed that beef exports in February reached 82,548 metric tons, the highest monthly volume since 1967.

Beef shipments also hit a record 160,478 tonnes in the first two months of this year, following a decision by the government of right-wing libertarian President Javier Miley to lift restrictions on the EXPORT of some types of MEAT.

In January and February, more than 75% of the country's overseas meat sales went to buyers in CHINA , followed by the European Union and Israel.

Argentina boasts one of the world's leading agricultural sectors and is a major supplier of grains, including crushed soybeans and corn, as well as beef, although the sector has come under pressure in the past from export restrictions designed to keep domestic prices low.

Argentines are also big consumers of beef, particularly the traditional asado barbecue.

But amid a prolonged economic downturn marked by annual inflation currently running at more than 270%, average beef consumption fell to about 40 kilograms per capita in February, the lowest since mid-2021, according to the Bioeconomy Secretariat.