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Beef Consumption Plummets, Prices Jump 60% Amid Export Surge

5/17/2026

33 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Beef consumption fell to its lowest level in two decades under President Javier Milei’s austerity plan.
Beef prices rose 60% to 18,500 pesos ($13) per kilogram in Buenos Aires in May, while wages grew 1.8% and inflation ran 2.9%.
Beef exports jumped 54% in the first quarter, reaching nearly 200,000 tons worth over $1 billion.
Retailers Ruth Simon and Jorge García shifted sales to cheaper chicken (4,900 pesos/kg) and pork (8,900 pesos/kg).

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Story summary

Beef consumption fell to its lowest level in two decades under President Javier Milei’s austerity plan.
Beef prices rose 60% to 18,500 pesos ($13) per kilogram in Buenos Aires in May, while wages grew 1.8% and inflation ran 2.9%.
Beef exports jumped 54% in the first quarter, reaching nearly 200,000 tons worth over $1 billion.
Retailers Ruth Simon and Jorge García shifted sales to cheaper chicken (4,900 pesos/kg) and pork (8,900 pesos/kg).