Argentina has lifted its 52-year ban on live cattle exports for slaughter, a restriction originally imposed in 1973 to stabilize domestic prices and protect the local market. The move aligns with the country’s broader economic liberalization efforts under President Javier Milei, who has prioritized opening Argentina’s economy since taking office in 2023.
The decision, confirmed by Minister of Deregulation and State Transformation Federico Sturzenegger, is expected to create new opportunities for Argentina’s livestock sector. Live cattle exports play a significant role in global markets, with major producers like Australia, France, and Canada each exceeding $1 billion in annual live cattle exports. In South America, Uruguay exports 250,000 head per year, while Brazil ships 750,000.
Argentina ranks as the world’s sixth-largest beef producer, with an estimated output of 3.1 million tonnes in the 2024/2025 trading year, accounting for 5% of global production. The top producer is the United States (12.3 million tonnes), followed by Brazil (11.85 million tonnes), China (7.8 million tonnes), the European Union (6.6 million tonnes), and India (4.57 million tonnes).
Beef exports are a crucial source of revenue for Argentina, helping to generate foreign currency needed for imports and debt payments. The country’s beef exports are projected to reach 860,000 tonnes in 2025, marking a 5% increase from 2024, with expectations to surpass 1 million tonnes in the coming years. In 2024, Argentina exported beef to 53 countries, with China accounting for more than 70% of shipments, followed by the European Union and Israel.
