Argentine beef exports maintained a positive performance during the first five months of 2016. According to data from the Argentine Beef Exporters Consortium ABC, between January and May, approximately 271,400 tons (product weight) of chilled and frozen beef were exported, for an approximate value of USD 1,833.7 million .
“Compared to the first five months of 2025, export volumes are 8% higher; while the value obtained has been 44.7% higher,” said Mario Ravettino, president of the ABC Consortium.
The average export price of chilled and frozen beef in May 2026 was USD 7,251 per ton. This value was 4.3% higher than that recorded in April and 32.4% higher than that of May 2025, when it reached USD 5,477 per ton.
During May, a drop in shipments of chilled boneless beef to Chile was observed. The 1,300 tons shipped in April were 26.8% lower than the volumes of March 2026 and 29.1% lower compared to the approximately 1,800 tons shipped in March 2025.
In contrast, shipments of chilled boneless beef to Europe grew by about 52% compared to the previous month, driven by the third-quarter window of the 481 quota. At the end of May, the Hilton quota showed levels close to 99% utilization.
Shipments to Europe reached 5,400 tons in May, although they were around 15% below the figures for the same month in 2015. Considering also the 55 tons of frozen cuts shipped during the period, Europe consolidated itself as the third most important destination for the month, behind China and the United States.
The kosher market
Israel also showed a recovery in purchases following the resumption of the kosher-certified meat season. In May, 2,700 tons of chilled meat were shipped at an average price of USD 12,272 per ton, and 1,400 tons of frozen meat at an average price of USD 11,974 per ton. With total shipments of 4,100 tons, Israel ranked as the fourth most important destination for the month.
China remained the main buyer of Argentine beef. Shipments of frozen boneless beef recovered in May, reaching nearly 20,000 tons. In the first five months of the year, 95,800 tons of this product were exported, a 7% decrease compared to the same period in 2015.
When comparing those volumes with those of other suppliers, Brazil’s exports of frozen boneless beef to China grew 23.6%, while Australia’s increased 30.7%.
On the other hand, during May, exports of beef with bone and bovine bones resulting from deboning reached 14,700 tons, an increase of 7.7% in relation to the same month last year.
The rebound in the United States
The United States solidified its position as the second largest export destination in May, and within this context, shipments of chilled beef showed a slight improvement, while shipments of frozen beef registered a decline. Together, both categories totaled 9,900 tons. The sales growth was driven by the expansion of the tariff-free quota.
Prices also showed positive trends. In May, chilled products destined for that market reached values exceeding USD 16,060 per ton , representing a monthly increase of 6.7%. Frozen products saw prices hover around USD 7,800 per ton, reflecting a 2.6% increase.
Between January and May 2026, prices for chilled products destined for the United States improved by 39% compared to the same period of the previous year, while frozen products increased by 22%. As of June 15, Argentina had fulfilled 60.2% of its annual quota of 20,000 tons and 98% of its quarterly quota of 20,000 tons for the second quarter under the Reciprocal Agreement.
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