July 9, 2024

Argentina's economic strain shifts meat consumption from beef to chicken

Argentina, renowned for its high beef consumption, is experiencing a significant shift as households turn to cheaper chicken to make their budgets last longer, Bloomberg reported.

Beef demand in Argentina is expected to drop below 45 kg per person this year, marking the lowest level since data collection began in 1914, according to a report by the Rosario Board of Trade based on government data. This decline would place Argentina's beef consumption on par with chicken for the first time.

Halfway through President Javier Milei's first year in office, Argentina faces a severe economic recession. Milei's devaluation of the country's currency has diminished shoppers' purchasing power, making pork and poultry, which cost about half as much as beef, more attractive options. Additionally, a growing awareness of the benefits of balanced diets has encouraged more families to choose poultry and pork.

Despite this shift, Argentines, along with neighbouring Uruguayans, remain the world's largest beef consumers.

-      Bloomberg