Argentina sees sharpest drop in beef consumption for 30 years

The decline in purchasing power in Argentina has led to the steepest drop in the country’s beef consumption in 30 years.

According to data from the Argentine Chamber of Meats and Derivatives Industry and Commerce (CICCRA), consumption in the first quarter of the year stood at 499,700 tons, a 17.6% drop from the same quarter in 2023.

It was the largest fall recorded by CICCRA for any quarter in three decades.

In March alone, per capita beef consumption in Argentina was 42.6kg, 18.5% below the same month in 2023.

Miguel Schiariti, the president of CICCRA, told Just Food the fall in the value of salaries amid Argentina’s soaring inflation was central to the decline.