A review of the Argentine beef cattle situation

Abstract

There have been many suggestions, in the last year or so, that New Zealand should encourage a rapid increase in beef production because of the high prices prevailing for beef in world meat markets. High prices for beef result mainly from the shortfall in exports from Argentina and it is important that the relative permanence of these prices be assessed. Are high beef prices simply due to a temporary cycle in Argentine production or has beef become a permanently expensive meat? This publication reviews beef production, consumption and export trends in Argentina and attempts to give a provisional answer to the above question.