Argentina: Pork production bolstered by increased domestic consumption in 2024
January 29, 2024/ 333 Latin America with information from the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries - Ministry of Economy/ Argentina.
https://www.magyp.gob.ar
- In 2024, pig slaughter totaled 8,302,903 head, an increase of 2.7% compared to 2023. Buenos Aires led with 50.3% of the annual slaughter, totaling 4,178,443 head. Santa Fe and Córdoba contributed significantly with 17.7% and 16.5%, respectively.
- December was a particularly positive month, with a rebound in the slaughter of 757,238 head, the highest figure since July (794,595 head). This was 9.4% more than in December of the previous year and 13.8% more than in November.
- In the last five years, hog slaughter has grown by 19%, from 7 million head in 2020 to more than 8.3 million head in 2024, an additional 1.3 million head. A significant achievement for the industry.
- Pork production in 2024 reached 785,047 tons (t), an increase of 3.0% compared to 2023. This growth reflects a significant advance in the Argentine pork industry, despite last year's circumstances.
- In December, 68,024 t were produced, 8.9% more than in the same month of the previous year and 10.7% above the November total (61,462 t).
- Average carcass weights in December were 90 kg, similar to the same month of the previous year and 2 kg less than in November.
- The average carcass weight in 2024 was 95 kg, 1 kg more than the 2023 average, indicating a positive trend in this key indicator.
- In 2024, pork exports increased significantly by 30.2% compared to 2023, going from 11,154 to 14,526 tons (t). This growth was also reflected in export value, which reached USD 14.9 million, an increase of 45.8% in the period analyzed. However, in December 1,012 t were exported, a decrease of 8.2% compared to the same month of 2023, and an increase of 6.0% compared to November.
- Imports of pork products in 2024 totaled 22,674 t, valued at USD 69.5 million, representing an increase of 38.1% in volume compared to 2023. In December, imports reached 5,498 t, reflecting an impressive increase of 1,004.4% over the same month of the previous year and 44.7% more than in November.
- The significant increase in swine imports in December resulted in a trade balance deficit for the pork sector of USD 15.3 million. Throughout the year, the accumulated deficit reached USD 54.6 million, 23.4% higher than in 2023 (USD 44.2 million).
- Apparent consumption reached 805,685 t in 2024, representing an increase of 3.7% over 2023 (777,154 t), while per capita consumption was estimated at 18.67 kg/inhabitant as of December.