Argentina is widely known as a leading producer and exporter of food and agricultural products. However, the South American country has faced economic hardship in the last decades, and even a
. The
reached 155 points in August 2024, a value relatively similar to the one reported every August since 2016. Moreover, ever-growing food prices have also increased food insecurity. Despite these challenges, Argentina’s food industry is looking towards new technologies and adapting to the international market demands to remain competitive as a food provider to the world.
A leading agrifood producer
Despite the increasing food prices due to inflation, and the economic crisis, Argentina is a leading producer of agrifood products in Latin America and the Caribbean. The South American country is a grain and cereal producer. In 2022, the
production volume of cereals surpassed 90 million metric tons, an increase of 93 percent since 2012. Argentina is also a leading meat producer, particularly beef. It is both a key part of the domestic cuisine and one of the top export goods. In 2023, the
production volume of beef and veal reached over three million metric tons, and it is expected to remain at its current production level over the next ten years.
An exporter of meat and cereals
Among Argentina’s food exports,
grains and cereals are some of the most important. Known as “the world’s silo”, Argentina’s
exports of cereal and cereal products reached over nine billion U.S. dollars in 2023, making it the
second largest exporter in Latin America and the Caribbean. That year, the country’s
meat exports attained a value of over three billion U.S. dollars.
Exports of beef accounted for 87 percent—or over 2.75 billion U.S. dollars—of the total meat exports. About 86 percent of all beef exports are in frozen form.
Food inflation and affordability
If there is one issue that has shaped life in Argentina in recent years, it is inflation. More than half of the population consider it one of the
leading problems that the country faces. Inflation has also affected food and beverages considerably. Although inflation has slowed down in recent months, as of June 2024 the
Consumer Price Index (CPI) was still at its highest level ever. This has led to skyrocketing prices for the
basic food basket and the basic consumer basket. As of February 2024, the basic food basket cost over 104,000 Argentinian pesos, 2,625 percent more than five years earlier.
Argentina is already developing programs to increase productivity with plans such as Argentina Productiva 2030, which seeks to improve agrifood production and increase exports. It remains to be seen how the economic challenges will impact the implementation.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
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Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
