Overview
- The White House, which weighed on Monday a temporary cut to beef import barriers to cool prices, has since postponed the move, El Cronista reported.
- Official data show Q1 exports reached 199,658 tonnes worth US$1.028 billion, up 54% in value and 17% in volume as average export prices climbed 31% to about US$5,149 per carcass‑weight equivalent tonne, a standard unit that converts cuts into whole‑carcass weight.
- Sales to the United States jumped after February’s quota increase to 100,000 tonnes, with export value up 114.3% in February–March year over year, April volume up about 201%, and more than 30,000 tonnes shipped by early May, according to industry and consultant tallies.
- Argentina’s home market weakened in Q1 as apparent beef consumption fell 10% year over year, pushing per‑capita intake down to roughly 47 kg and leaving retailers coping with prices that outpaced other foods.
- Industry leaders warn of hard supply limits from scarce credit, informal competition, and small herds—about three in four producers keep fewer than 200 cows—which could slow herd growth even if U.S. policy further expands import demand.