The Global Livestock Report

The slaughter cattle market remains firm, with expectations that some upward price adjustments may occur in the coming days.

The European Commission’s approval of the EU–Mercosur agreement added a new layer of excitement to producers’ expectations, which had already been buoyed by the disclosure of the annual quota granted by China to Argentina and by the (still unconfirmed) reports that the beef quota for the United States could be increased fivefold, to 100,000 tons. In this context, some sales of steers were reported at prices as high as Ar$ 8,200.

In December, 158,237 cows were slaughtered, 2.2% fewer than in the previous month, extending an uninterrupted month-on-month decline since July 2025.

Cumulative slaughter in 2025 reached 13.584 million head, 2.4% below 2024. Within this overall average, young steer slaughter (the most numerous male category) declined by 3%, while slaughter of steers increased by 3%. Among non-castrated males—much smaller categories and similar in size—young intact males (MEJ) rose 5%, while bull slaughter fell 5%.