Argentina sheep meat exports rise 34% in first half of 2026

Argentina sheep meat exports increased 34% in the first half of 2026, continuing a positive trend for the country’s ovine meat sector in international markets.

Shipments reached about 4,670 tonnes product weight between January and June, compared with roughly 3,497 tonnes in the same period of 2025, according to Argentina’s Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

Export revenue rose even faster, increasing 46% year over year. The total value generated by sheep meat exports in the first half of 2026 also nearly doubled compared with the same period in 2024, according to the government.

The average export price per tonne increased 10% from the first half of 2025, supported by global demand for high-quality animal protein.

Argentina currently has 44 export destinations open for sheep meat. The European Union remains the main market for Argentine ovine meat products, while Middle Eastern countries have significantly increased imports from Argentina, expanding the sector’s opportunities abroad.

For meatpackers, exporters and logistics operators, the growth points to stronger demand for cold-chain services, refrigerated storage and international transport tied to high-value animal protein shipments.

Although Argentina’s sheep meat exports remain smaller than its beef trade, the first-half figures show a sector gaining scale and improving prices. The combination of higher volumes, stronger export values and broader market access could help consolidate sheep meat as a more relevant niche in Argentina’s agribusiness export portfolio.

Fonte: Argentina

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