China dominates Argentina’s beef export market despite new import suspensions
Chinese market has receives nearly half of Argentina’s beef and leather exports in 2024
CHINA – China accounted for nearly half of Argentina’s total beef and leather exports in 2024, receiving 49.1% of shipments according to figures released by the Rosario Stock Exchange.
The country’s total export revenue from beef and hides stood at approximately US$3.672 billion, with boneless frozen beef bringing in the highest returns at US$1.798 billion, or 48% of the total value.
Fresh or chilled boneless beef followed with an export value of US$937 million, representing 25% of the total, while hides and other bovine byproducts generated US$383 million, accounting for 10.2%.
China emerged as the dominant buyer of Argentine meat products, a position it has solidified over the past decade by increasing imports more than sevenfold.
Today, over 75% of Argentina’s frozen beef exports are directed to the Chinese market, reinforcing the country’s role as Argentina’s top trade partner for these products.
Trailing far behind were Israel and the United States, which contributed 7.8% and 7.5% respectively to Argentina’s beef and hide export earnings.
During the first quarter of 2025, Argentina’s total exports of beef and bovine hides reached US$883 million, showing a 3.7% decline compared to the same period in 2024.
Still, the quarterly figure remained 2.1% above the average of the past five years, reflecting some market resilience despite global shifts.
The United States, in particular, saw its share rise significantly during this period, accounting for 12% of the total export value, or roughly US$100 million.
This marked a doubling of U.S. imports from Argentina compared to the previous year’s first quarter and set a record for American demand going back to 2002.
However, the report notes that Argentina is facing reduced demand from China, which cut its purchases from the South American nation by 30% year-on-year in the first three months of 2025.
Beef Import Suspensions Raise Uncertainty
The slowdown in Chinese demand coincides with recent trade restrictions imposed by Chinese customs on several foreign meatpacking facilities.
In early March, China temporarily halted beef imports from seven facilities across Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Mongolia amid an internal review of rising beef imports.
Among the affected Argentine companies are Frigorífico Regional General Las Heras SA and Frio Dock SA, both of which were listed in an official notice published by China’s customs authority.
The restrictions also target Brazil’s Frisa Frigorífico Rio Doce S/A, Bon-Mart Frigorífico Ltda, and JBS S/A, alongside Uruguay’s Frigorífico Sirsil SA and one Mongolian supplier.
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