With new parameters and an important step for Argentina’s meat export sector, the government has made official the regulations that determine this legal regulation for the allocation and administration of the tariff quota for high-quality, boneless, fresh and chilled beef granted by the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Argentina, collectively known as “Hilton Fee.” In addition, a tariff quota of 700 tonnes per year of frozen thin products has been approved. (fine guts) and another one of 200 tons per year from Boneless buffalo meat (fresh, chilled or frozen). Depending on the year, Hilton is typically a company with over $300 million in revenue.
Published in official gazette, by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, in Decision 242/2025 In addition to the formal approval of the general rules to manage the export of this quota, there is a horizon of four trading cycles for the consolidated legal system.
In their opinion, the need to establish these new rules arises from the expiry of previous legal regulations: specifically, the regulation introduced by Resolution 274/23 for the Hilton quota expires at the end of the current 2025/2026 export cycle. The total volume of this quota is made up of the allocations of the EU with 29,389 tonnes and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland with 111 tonnes of top quality chilled boneless beef.
According to current legislation, the parameters governing the allocation and management of this quota “apply to the trading cycles in between.” July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2030,” This gives the sector predictability over a longer export period.
It should be remembered that this quota, established in multilateral agreements of the 70s, is managed by the countries that receive it and Argentina is among the main actors.
One of the cornerstones of the new regime is to maintain the predictability of the economy. The key distribution criterion adopted, as stated in the resolution, is the “Exporter with previous performance of each quota applicant”. This approach aims to boost the export of higher value-added beef cuts and is in line with Argentina’s business strategy to position itself as a regular and reliable supplier of high quality beef.
Previous experience supports the effectiveness of this criterion: for the 2024/2025 cycle, the Hilton quota was utilized to 100%, whereas in previous years the utilization was over 92%. According to Appendix I, the quota remains in effect up to a 90% for industry, up to 10% for community projects and the participation of business associations is limited to a maximum of 15%.
Although the guidelines adopted in previous cycles are maintained, some clauses are adjusted: the changes mainly relate to the method of calculating the allocation and the maximum and minimum allocations per participant. In addition, the participant categories and the conditions for processing authenticity and/or export certificates will be simplified.
Detailed, in the assignment criteria The formula weights the exports of the last three years (50%-30%-20%). The formula combines total exports and exports specifically to the EU/UK (70%-30%), with a minimum of 50 tonnes for industry and 20 tonnes for joint projects. The Free Availability Fund is built into cancellations, withdrawals and penalties and only those who have already met their quota have access. As for controls and penalties, there will be an automatic reduction for those who do not certify 60% by February 1 and lose the difference. Fees and certificates are non-transferable.
The resolution also brings progress in modernizing procedures: it stipulates that all administrative procedures will be carried out online via the Remote Procedures (TAD) and Export Quota Administration System (SACE) platforms. This digitization and simplification has repealed previous decisions that introduced certificate application forms, which are now outdated.
The regulations also approved the models of authenticity and export certificates required for the use of the quota to be effective within a specified period. The issuance of these certificates is the responsibility of the enforcement authority of the supplying country and ensures that the requirements required by the trading partner’s legislation are met.
The Decision 242/2025 is not limited to the Hilton quota, but consolidates into one sole regulatory authority for the administration of other quotas. Among other things, specific legal regulations were approved for the tariff quota granted by the EU for boned, chilled or frozen beef USA (Annex II), applicable from 2026 to 2029, where the total quota of 20,000 tons: 95% for industry (Refrigerators approved by Senasa for export to the USA) and 5% for Joint projects (Producers + refrigerators). The quota allocation is based on the export history of the last three years, weighted at 50%-30%-20% and the maximum limit is 15% per company or economic group. The United States typically represents nearly $200 million in business.Annex III sets out a tariff quota of: 200 tons per year from Boneless buffalo meat (fresh, chilled or frozen) granted by the EU; The distribution takes place according to the criteria “First come, first served”according to the order of submission of applications and access Argentine exporter with companies that are approved and registered to export beef to the EU. Regarding the tariff quota of 700 tons per year of frozen thin (fine guts), The quotas granted by the EU (Annex IV) are also distributed under the system “First come, first served” and you access this target with the same requirements. Appendix V deals with this “Quotant 481”, with a quota of 10,000 tons per year of high-quality beef from free-range fattening opened by the EU. It is administered four quarterly sub-quotas, under the direct supervision of the EU and Argentina is responsible for the exhibition certificates of authenticity, with the same requirements. Exports must take place between January 1st and December 31stas long as the respective quarterly quota has not been exhausted. In Annex VI is the so-called “Sheep quota” regulates the distribution and administration of export quotas Sheep and goat meat that the European Union (19,090 tons) and the United Kingdom (3910 tons). In both cases the award is made according to international criteria “First come, first served”and is aimed at exporters legally based in the country. It includes lamb, goat, sheep and goat meat with and without bones, including carcasses. Exports must be carried out January 1st to December 31st and the odds are not transferablewhether between companies or between economic cycles.
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