Europe and the United States sustain the strength of Argentina’s export market
The close of the 2025 Anuga fair left an encouraging outlook for Argentina’s meat industry. Hugo Borrell, CEO of Arrebeef, highlighted from Cologne the strong interest shown by international buyers and the opportunities arising from limited beef supply in Europe and the United States. “The current consumption and supply context is favorable. There’s little beef available in Poland, Ireland, and in the U.S., and all that demand is shifting toward us. That keeps prices steady, which is good news,” he said.
The executive emphasized that, in addition to the rebound in Hilton chilled beef exports, new opportunities are opening for frozen cuts. “We’re exploring round cuts—products we didn’t traditionally export, such as rump & loin, rib eye, or topside. It’s a great opportunity to diversify,” he explained.
Regarding the livestock sector, Borrell acknowledged that Argentina is going through a positive phase. “Cattle production is economically strong. Prices are good, and producers are investing more in animal health and management, which is making the entire chain more efficient,” he said, though he cautioned that predictability remains a challenge.
Arrebeef exports about 90% of its production and has observed a trend toward heavier carcasses. Internationally, the U.S. is emerging as an increasingly attractive market, although China continues to absorb most of Argentina’s export volume. “Given our product range and quality, China remains a key destination. The U.S. market is very demanding, but we can’t place all our cuts there,” he explained.
Borrell noted that the tariffs imposed on Brazil have created a competitive window for Argentina in the North American market, while some secondary cuts continue to be directed to China. Considering the close relationship between the Trump and Milei administrations, he expressed optimism about a potential expansion of Argentina’s U.S. beef quota and the advancement of new bilateral talks.
When asked about the possible Mercosur–European Union agreement, Borrell was confident. “We have a product that’s highly valued in Europe. The more freedom we have to develop products and business opportunities, the better it will be for the country and for each company. I’m always optimistic—even in Argentina,” he concluded.
