10 September 2026
In a historic dietary shift, chicken has surpassed beef as Argentina’s primary protein. Domestic poultry consumption reached an all-time high of approximately 49 kg per capita annually and is projected to exceed 50 kg during 2026, officially overtaking beef consumption, which currently stands at roughly 47 kg per capita.
Data from the Poultry Processing Companies Center indicate that per capita poultry consumption has more than doubled since the early 2000s, when it stood at just 22-23 kg per year. While affordability relative to beef remains a primary driver, the shift is also being fueled by changing consumer preferences. The industry has increasingly moved toward individually portioned and processed cuts rather than whole birds, coinciding with growing public interest in fitness and high-protein nutrition.
With domestic output holding steady at roughly 2.5 million tons annually and local demand approaching saturation, future industry expansion will depend heavily on access to global markets. However, the export sector faced substantial disruption in early 2026 due to avian influenza outbreaks, resulting in trade restrictions and a 21.7% decline in export volumes through March.
Recovery is underway as regional markets such as Chile and Peru resume purchases, while the European Union is reopening imports under the Mercosur trade framework, which provides for a progressive quota of up to 180,000 tons. Meanwhile, Vietnam has emerged as a key customer, accounting for approximately 20%–21% of Argentina’s total poultry exports.
The industry’s primary strategic priority remains reopening the Chinese market, a high-value destination for cuts with lower commercial demand in Western markets, such as chicken feet and wings. After exporting approximately 206,000 tons in 2025, industry analysts project that Argentina’s poultry exports will reach only 170,000-180,000 tons in 2026 unless the Chinese market fully reopens.
