Offal is the next step in Argentina's meat exports to China

Argentine offal meats include tripe, tripe, sweetbreads, tongue, liver, heart, brains andtail , among other things, is part of a sector that, although consumed locally, has an untapped EXPORT market. This is   CHINA  , a well-known market giant.

In an interview with AIRE Agro, Georges Breitschmitt, president of the Argentine Institute for the Promotion of Beef (IPCVA), said that offal is not as deeply rooted in local consumption as traditional roast beef, but is in high demand in other countries. 

"Once the animal is slaughtered, all the offal is not as widely consumed as roast beef. Everyone eats it, but in Argentina we are not so used to eating these things," Breitschmitt explained. 

These offal, which are rarely eaten in Argentina, are mainly destined for Asian and African countries. For many years, RUSSIA has been one of the main destinations, followed by China via Hong Kong and some African countries.

Export opportunities: Japan , Indonesia and China

Speaking about market expansion, Breitschmitt shared details of a recent tour of Asia, during which the company visited Indonesia, Japan and China in an effort to open up new markets for Argentine beef.

"Indonesia needs to open its market because Argentina currently does not sell MEAT to that country. Japan is a partially open market because exports can only be made through a sanitary barrier in the south and only one meat packing plant is currently allowed," he explained. 

Of these countries, China is undoubtedly the most important destination. China currently accounts for 70% of Argentina's meat exports, and a process is currently underway to allow offal exports to this market. 

"Today, meat on the bone and with flesh, such as loin, fillet, steaks and other cuts, are exported to China. But we cannot export offal because every time the market opens, there is a process involving governments and HEALTH authorities coordinating health protocols," explained the IPCVA president.

Homologation process and economic effect

The process of opening new markets, especially for offal, is lengthy and subject to sanitary protocols. Work is currently focused on standardizing protocols between Senasa and Chinese customs, an important step in ensuring import safety. 

"These organizations must agree on protocols to determine whether it is safe to import offal from Argentina. Once that is approved, exports will begin," said Breitschmitt, who is optimistic about the progress. 

He explained that opening up any market takes time, and the processes involve not only product health and safety but also political negotiations. Recent efforts by the Argentine government have made this process easier, especially with China, which values the presence of high-ranking officials in negotiations. 

"This government administration has made it completely easier, and in China they value the trips there and the presence of government officials there. The higher the position, the more they value it," he added.

By-products: a product that will benefit the entire production chain

Breitschmitt also stressed the economic impact that opening markets to Argentine offal will have not only for exporters but for the entire production chain. 

"We are criticized for only benefiting the exporters when we go abroad. But this is a benefit to the entire chain from start to finish, especially for offal, because domestic consumption of offal is lower than meat consumption. So it can all be exported to China, where it sometimes ends up in an incinerator or is turned into meat meal or dog food," he explained. 

"The impact will have an economic effect on the entire chain, as it will benefit producers, domestic consumers and exporters," Breitschmitt said.

This new market for offal can benefit producers, domestic consumers and, of course, exporters. The economic impact will be far-reaching, as it will represent an additional source of income for the entire meat production chain. 

“The impact will be economic throughout the chain, as it will benefit producers, domestic consumers and exporters,” he concluded.