Argentina beef exports rise in value as prices strengthen

Argentina beef exports continued to gain value in July 2026, supported by stronger international prices even as monthly shipment volumes edged lower.

Exports of chilled and frozen beef reached 64,900 tonnes product weight in July, generating about US$461.9 million, according to Argentina’s ABC beef export consortium. Compared with June, volumes fell 1.6%, while export revenue slipped only 0.3%.

The year-on-year comparison was stronger. July export volumes were 1.8% higher than in the same month of 2025, while revenue jumped 29.9%, reflecting a recovery in prices for Argentine beef in international markets.

From January to July, Argentina beef exports totaled 403,100 tonnes and generated roughly US$2.77 billion. Volumes rose 6.7% from the same period last year, while revenue increased 41.8%, reinforcing the sector’s role as a major source of foreign currency for Argentina.

The average export price reached US$7,123 per tonne in July, up 1.3% from June and 27.5% above July 2025, when it stood at US$5,585 per tonne. The recovery marks a sharp rebound from the low of US$3,740 per tonne recorded in mid-2024.

According to Datamar data, Argentina’s beef exports maintained strong momentum, with 27,124 TEUs shipped in the first half of 2026. The chart below shows the growth in shipments of this product:

Argentina Beef Exports | Jan 2023 – Jun 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

China remains top buyer

China remained the leading destination for Argentine beef, accounting for 57.9% of export volumes in July and 59.8% in the first seven months of the year.

In July, shipments to China included 16,500 tonnes of bone-in beef and bones worth US$46.3 million, as well as 21,000 tonnes of boneless beef valued at US$126.3 million.

Exports of beef offal and meat-based preparations also performed strongly. In July, shipments totaled 9,500 tonnes and generated US$26.5 million. From January to July, the category reached 62,700 tonnes and US$163.3 million.

Chilled and frozen beef support trade flows

Chilled beef exports totaled 9,700 tonnes in July, worth US$132.6 million. Europe was the main destination, with 4,200 tonnes and US$65 million, followed by Israel with 2,800 tonnes and Chile with 1,000 tonnes. In the first seven months of the year, chilled beef exports generated US$882.2 million, up 37.1% from the same period in 2025.

Frozen boneless beef shipments reached 38,300 tonnes in July, worth US$280.1 million. China led purchases with 21,000 tonnes, followed by the United States with 10,700 tonnes and Israel with 4,400 tonnes. From January to July, the category totaled 232,700 tonnes and US$1.59 billion, increases of 7.2% in volume and 42.2% in value.

Frozen bone-in beef and bones from deboning operations totaled 16,900 tonnes in July, generating US$48.6 million. Almost all of those shipments were destined for China.

Over the 12 months through July 2026, Argentina exported 739,100 tonnes of chilled and frozen beef, with revenue close to US$4.70 billion.

For meatpackers, exporters, shipping companies and cold-chain logistics operators, the data point to a market in which value growth is outpacing volume growth. Stronger prices, sustained Chinese demand and higher-value destinations such as Europe, the United States, Israel and Chile continue to shape Argentina’s refrigerated cargo flows.

Source: Infobae

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