January 11, 2012

Argentina's beef consumption plunges in 2011

Beef consumption for Argentina last year plunges to 53.8 kilogramme per capita per annum, its lowest levels in 91 years.

Reduced availability of products, increasing population size and higher prices are to blame.

The Chamber of Meat Trade and Meat Products (CICCRA) says that the consumption of beef fell 6.7% last year. The lowest recorded levels of meat beef consumption occurred in 1920, at 47 kilogramme per capita.

On the other hand, sales of poultry and pork products have increased. This is likely due to both livestock being more price competitive rather than changes in consumer eating habits. Beef prices have increased by 130% in the last year.

The President of the Poultry Processing Companies (CEPA), Roberto Domenech, says that in 2011, the consumption of poultry meat increased to 40 kilogramme per capita, a 1.5-kilogramme increase. 

CIICRA reports that the consumption of pork products increases 9.2% over the last two years.

Butchers and traders are saying that whilst they have seen slight increases in the sales of poultry and pork, these increases do not match the drop in beef consumption.

Economists from the Institute of Economic Studies of Rural Argentina say that between 2009 and 2011, prices rose by 80%, while consumption fell by 14%.

Inflation can be put down to increased global beef prices and a decrease in slaughtered animals last year.