The Argentine government intends to maintain restrictions on exports

The Argentine government plans to limit the EXPORT of certain types of beef to curb food inflation in the domestic market.

A ban on the export of beef for a period of 30 days was introduced on May 17. Just the next day, the leading exporters of Argentina responded to this government decision with a protest action, refusing to supply products to the domestic market until May 28. By June 16, the strikers had reached an agreement with the Argentine government, which publicly announced a partial resumption of exports.

This week, a press conference was held where the Minister of Industrial Development of Argentina, economics professor Matías Kulfas, said that the government is working to restore affordable MEAT prices in the short term. He clarified that exports will be restored within 50% of the average volumes in 2020. The president of the Argentine Agrarian Federation (FAA), Carlos Achetoni, responded that the association of beef suppliers is not satisfied with such restrictions.

Before the press conference, in a written statement, the ministry clearly outlined a plan to increase beef production from 3.2 million tons to 5 million tons. At the same time, 3 million tons of meat are supposed to be sold in the domestic market, and 2 million tons - in foreign markets. Last year, the volume of exports amounted to 1 million tons. The ministry claims that the proposed balance of supplies will increase domestic beef consumption to 70 kilograms per year per capita. The plan is for a month. 

Argentina's beef prices rose almost 70% year-on-year in April, with inflation approaching 50%, according to official statistics.