Marfrig Alimentos SA, the world's fourth-largest beef producer, won the biggest share of an Argentine quota to export premium beef to the European Union at a special tariff.

The Brazillian company and three other units will be allowed to ship a combined 3,122 tonnes under the Hilton Quota before June 30, according to reports. JBS SA's Argentine unit was awarded 3,000 tonnes, the biggest individual share of the quota divided between about 70 meatpackers.

Argentina, the world's third-biggest beef producer and the largest per-capita consumer of the commodity, received about 50% of a 58,000-tonne quota divided between eight countries. The other countries awarded permits are Canada, the US, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, New Zealand and Australia.

The Hilton Quota system was designed to help exporters from other nations after European agricultural subsidies were introduced in 1979.

The US and Brazil are the world's biggest beef producers. JBS, the world's biggest meatpacker, and Marfrig are both based in Sao Paulo.