Beef consumption in Argentina showed a slight recovery in October 2025, reaching 49.1 kilos per capita per year, a 3.2% year-on-year increase according to the Chamber of the Meat Industry and its Derivatives (Ciccra). Despite this improvement, meat prices rose above inflation. Domestic demand grew while exports fell due to reduced purchases from China.
Argentina's meat industry produced 2.635 million tons of bone-in beef (r/c/h) in the first ten months of 2025, almost identical to January-October 2024, according to Ciccra. Exports fell 10.2% year-on-year in that period, due to the 'sharp reduction in purchases made by China until the end of the first half of the year.' As a result, the domestic market absorbed 1.931 million tons r/c/h, representing a 4.4% year-on-year recovery.
Per capita consumption in October 2025 stood at 49.1 kilos per inhabitant per year, based on the 12-month moving average, with a 3.2% year-on-year improvement (1.5 kg/cap/year). However, this figure is the second lowest in the last 20 years, only surpassed by 47.3 kg in October 2024; in October 2023, it was 53.5 kg.
According to the Center for Argentine Political Economy (CEPA), 'the decline in domestic beef consumption is directly associated with the loss of purchasing power of incomes.' In August 2025, private sector wages reached the level of November 2023 and have accumulated a 0.6% loss in purchasing power, while public sector wages have fallen 13.2% compared to November 2023.
The Rosario Grain Exchange estimates that for all of 2025, per capita consumption will be 49.6 kg of beef, 45.5 kg of poultry, and 17.7 kg of pork, totaling 113 kg of meats per inhabitant, 3% more than in 2024 and aligned with recent averages.
Regarding prices, beef rose 2.8% in October 2025 against 2.3% inflation, and over ten months it has increased 37.5% versus 24.8% for the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Poultry and pork meats rose less, with 21.9% and 12.7% respectively, according to the Argentine Beef Promotion Institute.