The Global Livestock Report

Slaughter cattle prices firmed toward the end of last week, with deals reaching US$ 4.20 per kg carcass weight for standard males. One processor reported having purchased grassfed finished steers at US$ 4.15 during the week and cows at US$ 3.80.

Export cattle prices increased once more: high-quality fat steers, British-breed or British-cross, rose Ar$ 200 per kilo, reaching Ar$ 7,500–7,800 per kilo carcass weight, while zebu-cross steers climbed to Ar$ 7,200–7,500.

The situation for packers is complicated not only because of the scarcity and high price of steers but also by China’s reluctance to buy — in some cases not even submitting bids. “On cows, losses range from US$ 10,000 to 15,000 per container,” said Germán Manzano, an operator with extensive experience in the sector. A major national meat group described the prices being offered from China as “ridiculous.”

In November, 161,746 cows were slaughtered, 12.7% fewer than in October, which itself had fallen 5.7% from September, extending a month-to-month decline that began in July.

In November, 1.046 million cattle were slaughtered, 13% less than the previous month and 8% less than in November last year — the lowest volume since March.

In the first 11 months of 2025, slaughter totaled 12.444 million head, 1.9% below the same period in 2024.

The government announced yesterday a new reduction in export taxes on major grains and their by-products, ranging from 1 to 2 percentage points. Soybeans will now be taxed at 24% instead of 26%, while soybean by-products drop from 24.5% to 22.5%.