Argentina Beef Export Data: Top Destinations, Top HS Codes, Market Performance

Key Takeaways

• Argentina beef exports reached $3.7B (+22.3% YoY) in 2025, with growth driven primarily by higher prices (+35.6%) rather than volume (+~5%).
• The export market is highly concentrated, led by China ($5.86B) for bulk frozen beef, while Israel ($1.97B) and Germany ($1.28B) drive premium chilled segments.
• Argentina’s beef trade is structurally split between high-volume frozen exports (China) and high-value chilled exports (EU, Israel), signaling a gradual shift toward higher-margin markets.

Argentina's Beef Export Revenue Hit $3.7 Billion, Up 22% in 2025

Argentina's beef export market delivered a historic financial performance in 2025. Total beef export revenue reached approximately $3.7 billion — a 22.3% increase over 2024 — making it one of Argentina's highest-value agricultural export categories.

According to the Argentine government's official report, 853,183 tonnes of bone-in carcass equivalent were shipped across the full year. The result was confirmed broadly in line with USDA projections published earlier in the year, which forecast a record 860,000 tonnes of shipments.

Table: Argentina Beef Export Overview 2024 vs 2025 (Source: yTrade / Argentine Government)

Metric	2025	2024	YoY Change
Total Export Revenue	~$3.7B	~$3.03B	+22.3%
Export Volume (bone-in equiv.)	853,183 t	~815,000 t	+~5%
Avg. Price per Tonne (Dec)	$5,459+	~$4,000	+35.6%
Export Tax (beef cuts)	5%	9%	Cut by Milei govt.
Export Quotas	None	Active	All abolished 2024

Record beef export revenue in 2025 was driven far more by price than by volume. The USDA's Buenos Aires office projected the record ahead of time, citing a 2% production increase to 3.175 million tonnes and a slaughter run of 13.8 million heads.

The key policy enabler was President Milei's removal of all export quotas and the cut in beef export tax from 9% to 5%. Tridge reported that by December 2025, export-quality bull prices reached their highest level of the year at 7,500 pesos per kilogram of hooked meat — one of the highest in recent Argentine history.

Argentina Beef Export: What Type of Beef Argentina Export In 2025?

Argentina does export beef across several HS codes, but the trade is overwhelmingly concentrated in boneless cuts — both frozen (HS 020230) and fresh or chilled (HS 020130), from yTrade data. Frozen boneless cuts alone dominate by volume, driven by China's bulk demand for industrial-grade beef. Fresh chilled boneless cuts command a significant premium and are the preferred format for high-value markets such as Germany, Israel, and the Netherlands.

Cuts with bone-in (HS 020220/020120) remain a marginal category across most destinations.

• HS 020230 – Frozen boneless cuts: The dominant format globally, driven by China's mass-volume demand for processed beef
• HS 020130 – Fresh/chilled boneless cuts: Premium product exported to EU and Israeli markets at significantly higher unit values
• HS 020220 – Frozen bone-in cuts: Secondary format used primarily for China and select regional markets
• HS 020120 – Fresh/chilled bone-in cuts: Niche format for specific kosher or specialty market requirements

#	HS Code	Shipments	Shipments %	Value (US$)	Value %	Weight (kg)	Weight %	Quantity	Quantity %
1	020230	402.63K	54.47%	7.25B	54.43%	661.66M	37.85%	1.33B	55.70%
2	020130	222.84K	30.15%	4.80B	35.98%	224.42M	12.84%	432.43M	18.14%
3	020220	112.30K	15.19%	1.25B	9.39%	859.38M	49.16%	620.07M	26.01%
4	020120	1.18K	0.16%	17.85M	0.13%	1.14M	0.07%	2.21M	0.09%
5	020110	259	0.04%	9.10M	0.07%	1.54M	0.09%	1.48M	0.06%

The split between frozen and chilled product is commercially significant. Tridge reported that Argentina's export-quality beef prices hit their highest level of the year by December 2025, driven by strong demand across both frozen and premium chilled categories.

The price of export bulls averaged 7,500 pesos per kilogram — the highest in the Southern Cone when converted to meat dollars, surpassing Uruguay. Fresh chilled cuts to Germany and the Netherlands fetch materially higher per-unit revenue than frozen shipments to China, pointing to Argentina's gradual shift up the value chain.

Use yTrade to search Argentina beef shipment records across 200+ countries, combining official customs data and global partner sources to give you complete, verified market visibility at lower cost.

Argentina Beef Export: Where Does Argentina Export Beef In 2025?

Argentina’s beef exports in 2025 mainly are China Mainland with $5.87B, followed by Israel at $1.97B and Germany at $1.28B. These three markets alone account for the majority of export value, reflecting strong demand across Asia and Europe.

China dominates both volume and value, while Israel and Germany represent key high-value markets for processed and premium beef products.

• China Mainland — $5.87B: Largest buyer, driven by massive demand for bulk frozen beef
• Israel — $1.97B: High-value market with strong demand for kosher-certified beef
• Germany — $1.28B: Premium EU market focused on high-quality cuts
• United States — $1.24B: Steady importer for processing and food service sectors
• Netherlands — $876.54M: Key European distribution and re-export hub

#	Country	Shipments	Shipments %	Value (US$)	Value %	Weight (kg)	Weight %	Quantity	Quantity %
1	China Mainland	422.78K	57.23%	5.87B	44.11%	1.33B	75.88%	1.57B	66.09%
2	Israel	83.24K	11.27%	1.97B	14.83%	114.90M	6.58%	221.55M	9.31%
3	Germany	48.60K	6.58%	1.28B	9.62%	51.31M	2.94%	98.01M	4.12%
4	United States	41.50K	5.62%	1.24B	9.34%	85.23M	4.88%	161.92M	6.80%
5	Netherlands	42.16K	5.71%	876.54M	6.59%	40.14M	2.30%	76.62M	3.22%

#1 Argentina Beef Export - China

China is Argentina's largest single beef export destination by a significant margin. According to yTrade customs data, China received $5.86 billion in total Argentine beef exports in 2025, dominated almost entirely by frozen boneless cuts (HS 020230) at $4.63 billion (79.06% of China-bound value) and frozen bone-in cuts (HS 020220) at $1.18 billion (20.20%).

Fresh chilled product (HS 020130) was minimal at $43.64 million. According to the Argentine government report, approximately 500,000 tonnes of the 853,183 total tonnes shipped went to China.

• HS 020230 – Frozen boneless ($4.63B, 79.06%): Core product for China; bulk frozen beef for processing, catering, and food manufacturing
• HS 020220 – Frozen bone-in ($1.18B, 20.20%): Secondary format meeting Chinese demand for bone-in cuts in foodservice
• HS 020130 – Fresh chilled boneless ($43.64M, 0.75%): Minimal volume; niche high-end retail demand in premium Chinese cities

HS Code	Product Description	Value	Weight	Quantity	Frequency	Value Ratio
020230	Boneless cuts, frozen	4.63B	469.10M	959.55M	311.95K	79.06%
020220	Bone-in cuts, frozen	1.18B	851.39M	603.95M	107.30K	20.20%
020130	Boneless cuts, fresh/chilled	43.64M	3.67M	7.18M	2.77K	0.75%

China's position as Argentina's dominant buyer comes with structural risk.

As reported by UkrAgroConsult citing Bichos de Campo, from January 2026 China imposed a quota system capping Argentine beef imports at 511,000 tonnes per year — only 11,307 tonnes above 2025's actual export volume.

Countries exceeding their quota face a 55% tariff. Argentine exporters, including Swift (45,268 t), Frigorifico Rioplatense (44,687 t), and Arre Beef (36,950 t), are the heaviest China shippers. The industry is debating how to allocate the quota to avoid market saturation in H1 2026, a risk described domestically as the 'Twelfth Gate effect.'

#2 Argentina Beef Export - Israel

Israel is Argentina's second-largest beef export destination and one of its most commercially important markets.

According to yTrade data, Israel imported $1.97 billion in Argentine beef in 2025, with a near-even split between fresh chilled boneless cuts (HS 020130) at $982.67 million (49.91%) and frozen boneless cuts (HS 020230) at $948.99 million (48.20%).

This balanced product mix reflects Israel's dual demand — premium chilled product for kosher retail and restaurant channels, and frozen cuts for foodservice and processing. Israel consistently pays higher unit prices than China for comparable cuts.

• HS 020130 – Fresh chilled boneless ($982.67M, 49.91%): Premium kosher-certified chilled beef for Israeli retail and high-end foodservice
• HS 020230 – Frozen boneless ($948.99M, 48.20%): Frozen boneless cuts for food manufacturing and catering across Israel
• HS 020220 – Frozen bone-in ($30.92M, 1.57%): Small secondary volume covering specialty butchery and catering requirements
• HS 020120 – Fresh bone-in ($6.11M, 0.31%): Niche kosher-specific cuts requiring fresh handling and rapid delivery

HS Code	Product Description	Value	Weight	Quantity	Frequency	Value Ratio
020130	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled	982.67M	51.12M	98.68M	38.04K	49.91%
020230	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen	948.99M	60.38M	115.72M	41.88K	48.20%
020220	Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), frozen	30.92M	2.69M	5.91M	2.87K	1.57%
020120	Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), fresh or chilled	6.11M	506.72K	694.85K	314.00	0.31%

Israel is a structurally high-value market for Argentina beef exports due to its strict kosher certification requirements, which favour Argentine processing plants with established halal/kosher dual certification.

The near-equal split between fresh chilled and frozen product signals that Israeli buyers source across quality tiers.

The USDA's Buenos Aires report noted that US beef exports from Argentina were expected to remain strong in 2025 due to competitive pricing — a dynamic that also applies to Israel, where Argentine beef competes with US, Australian, and Brazilian supply on both price and religious certification grounds.

#3 Argentina Beef Export - Germany

Germany is Argentina's top European beef export destination, receiving $1.28 billion in 2025. The product mix is strikingly concentrated: fresh chilled boneless cuts (HS 020130) accounted for $1.22 billion — or 95.17% of total exports to Germany.

This makes Germany a near-pure premium market, importing almost no frozen product. The high share of chilled beef reflects Germany's position as Europe's largest beef processing hub, where Argentine product enters the Hilton quota and 481 feedlot quota frameworks for high-quality certified beef. Frozen product (HS 020230) contributed only $61.76 million (4.83%).

• HS 020130 – Fresh chilled boneless ($1.22B, 95.17%): Dominant product; Hilton quota and 481 feedlot premium beef for German processing and distribution
• HS 020230 – Frozen boneless ($61.76M, 4.83%): Minor frozen component for foodservice and catering channels
• HS 020220 – Frozen bone-in ($42.41K, ~0%): Negligible volume; trace-level specialty imports
• HS 020120 – Fresh bone-in ($2.08K, ~0%): Effectively zero; Germany's demand is for boneless product only

HS Code	Product Description	Value	Weight	Quantity	Frequency	Value Ratio
020130	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled	1.22B	47.91M	91.71M	47.24K	95.17%
020230	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen	61.76M	3.34M	6.18M	1.32K	4.83%
020220	Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), frozen	42.41K	46.86K	93.72K	4.00	0.00%
020120	Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), fresh or chilled	2.08K	78.27	131.30	10.00	0.00%

Germany's near-exclusive demand for fresh chilled Argentine beef is tied to the EU's Hilton quota — a tariff-rate quota allowing a defined volume of high-quality beef from specific countries to enter the EU at 20% import duty rather than the standard rate.

Argentina holds one of the largest Hilton quota allocations globally.

The USDA Buenos Aires report confirmed that Argentine exporters under the 481 feedlot quota framework were incentivised in 2025 by improved FOB prices and cheap domestic corn costs, supporting the supply of heavier, premium-grade cattle destined for EU premium markets.

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#4 Argentina Beef Export - United States

How much beef does the US import from Argentina?

According to yTrade customs data, the United States imported $1.148 billion in Argentine beef in 2025, making it Argentina's fourth-largest beef export destination by value. The US market is dominated by frozen boneless cuts (HS 020230) at $771.32 million (67.17%), with a meaningful secondary share of fresh chilled boneless cuts (HS 020130) at $376.75 million (32.81%).

The US imports Argentine beef primarily for grinding and foodservice — frozen trimmings and cuts used in hamburger production are the core application.

• HS 020230 – Frozen boneless ($771.32M, 67.17%): Primary format; imported for grinding use in hamburger patties and foodservice processing
• HS 020130 – Fresh chilled boneless ($376.75M, 32.81%): Premium cuts for retail and restaurant channels, growing in share as Argentine beef gains recognition
• HS 020220 – Frozen bone-in ($238.89K, 0.02%): Negligible volume; effectively a trace category for the US market

HS Code	Product Description	Value	Weight	Quantity	Frequency	Value Ratio
020230	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen	771.32M	61.59M	116.50M	27.05K	67.17%
020130	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled	376.75M	16.34M	30.46M	13.39K	32.81%
020220	Meat; of bovine animals, cuts with bone in (excluding carcasses and half-carcasses), frozen	238.89K	24.35K	50.00K	4.00	0.02%

The USDA Buenos Aires Livestock and Products Annual report noted that US beef imports from Argentina were expected to remain strong in 2025, citing competitive Argentine pricing and sustained American demand.

The report highlighted that local Argentine exporters were optimistic about the US market as a growth avenue, particularly as the removal of export restrictions under President Milei freed up more product for international buyers.

The US imported Argentine beef primarily to supplement domestic supply during periods of tight domestic production — a structural dynamic likely to continue into 2026.

#5 Argentina Beef Export - Netherlands

The Netherlands is Argentina's fifth-largest beef export destination, receiving $876.48 million in 2025.

Like Germany, the Dutch market is overwhelmingly focused on fresh chilled boneless cuts: HS 020130 accounted for $836.66 million (95.46% of value), with frozen boneless (HS 020230) contributing $39.82 million (4.54%).

The Netherlands functions as a major European entry and distribution hub — Argentine beef arriving at Rotterdam and Amsterdam ports is processed and redistributed across the EU single market. This transit role amplifies the strategic importance of the Dutch market well beyond its domestic consumption.

• HS 020130 – Fresh chilled boneless ($836.66M, 95.46%): Near-total concentration in premium chilled; Amsterdam/Rotterdam serve as EU redistribution hubs
• HS 020230 – Frozen boneless ($39.82M, 4.54%): Minor frozen component for Dutch domestic foodservice and processing

HS Code	Product Description	Value	Weight	Quantity	Frequency	Value Ratio
020130	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, fresh or chilled	836.66M	37.22M	71.07M	40.48K	95.46%
020230	Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen	39.82M	2.92M	5.53M	1.68K	4.54%

The Netherlands' role as an EU meat distribution hub means that Argentine beef export value flowing through Dutch ports ultimately reaches consumers across Germany, France, Belgium, and beyond. The EU–Mercosur trade agreement, finalised in late 2024 and set to apply provisionally from May 2026, is expected to progressively reduce EU tariffs on Argentine beef.

This would directly benefit the Netherlands-Germany corridor — currently the premium core of Argentina's European beef export business — by improving margin structures for both Argentine exporters and EU importers handling Hilton and 481 quota volumes.

Argentina Beef Export: Top Exporters

Argentina's beef export sector is dominated by a small group of large integrated processors. According to yTrade customs data, the top five exporters — JBS Argentina, Azul Natural Beef, Frigorifico Rioplatense, Frigorifico Gorina, and Arre Beef — collectively account for the substantial majority of total Argentina beef export value.

JBS Argentina leads at $1.45 billion, driven by frozen boneless (HS 020230, $836.29M) and fresh chilled boneless (HS 020130, $489.27M). The top five together processed and shipped well over $6 billion in beef over the course of 2025.

• JBS Argentina SA ($1.45B): Market leader; dominant in frozen boneless for China and chilled cuts for premium markets
• Azul Natural Beef SA ($1.33B): Second-largest exporter, with strength in both chilled boneless ($835.38M) and frozen ($391.16M)
• Frigorifico Rioplatense SA ($1.24B): Major exporter with certified facilities; Swift competitor in China-bound frozen trade
• Frigorifico Gorina SA ($1.14B): Consistent mid-to-large exporter with strong frozen boneless output ($687.37M to China)
• Arre Beef SA ($961.74M): Fifth-largest exporter; balanced between chilled ($489.8M) and frozen with active China shipping

Company	Value (USD)	Weight	Quantity	Top Product
JBS ARGENTINA	1.45B	104.84M kg	240.96M	020230 ($836.29M), 020130 ($489.27M), 020220 ($126.92M)
AZUL NATURAL BEEF	1.33B	106.50M kg	170.33M	020130 ($835.38M), 020230 ($391.16M), 020220 ($99.53M)
FRIGORIFICO RIOPLATENSE	1.24B	94.39M kg	182.44M	020230 ($603.48M), 020130 ($473.37M), 020220 ($160.53M)
FRIGORIFICO GORINA	1.14B	132.47M kg	209.28M	020230 ($687.37M), 020130 ($364.22M), 020220 ($91.46M)
ARRE BEEF	961.74M	99.71M kg	152.15M	020230 ($489.8M), 020130 ($372.16M), 020220 ($99.78M)

According to UkrAgroConsult's reporting on the Argentine beef industry, the top meat processing companies play a disproportionate role in China-bound trade. Swift (part of JBS) led China-specific shipments at 45,268 tonnes, followed by Rioplatense at 44,687 tonnes and Arre Beef at 36,950 tonnes.

These three companies alone shipped over 126,000 tonnes to China — roughly 25% of the estimated 500,000-tonne China total. The concentration of export capacity among a few large certified plants creates systemic risk: if any major facility loses Chinese certification or access, the entire export quota could be disrupted for that processing group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much beef does Argentina export?

Argentina exported about $3.7B worth of beef in 2025, with a total volume of 853,183 tonnes (bone-in equivalent).

Q: What is Argentina's top 5 exports?

Argentina’s top exports include:

• Soybean products — $20.899B
• Corn — $6.526B
• Mining commodities — $6.037B
• Crude petroleum (fast-growing sector)
• Beef — ~$3.7B

Q: Does Argentina produce a lot of beef?

Yes. Argentina produced around 3.175 million tonnes of beef in 2025, supporting large-scale exports and global supply.

Q: Does Argentina export beef?

Yes. Argentina is a major global beef exporter, shipping over 853,000 tonnes and generating $3.7B in export revenue in 2025.

Q: How much beef does Argentina export?

Argentina exported 853,183 tonnes of beef and earned approximately $3.7B in 2025, driven mainly by strong global demand and higher prices.

Q: How much beef does the US import from Argentina?

The United States imported about $1.148B worth of Argentine beef in 2025, mainly frozen boneless cuts for processing and foodservice.