Two items that have grown exponentially and earned a place at the Argentine table

It was for raising poultry – chickens and eggs – and raising pigs Unusual growth In the last 20 years, thanks to productive reconversion through the adoption of new technologies, genetic improvement and management techniques, to which I add Change in consumer habits From the Argentines, who were also promoted from both sectors.

To get a complete idea about New consumption structure of animal proteins in the country, just look at the latest data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries in this regard.

According to the agricultural portfolio, the total consumption Meat Currently about 114 kilograms per inhabitant annuallyOf which 49.6 correspond to Serum46 a AviaSAR 18.4 A Pigs. To this we must add about 380 egg Every year.

This panorama is completely different from what can be observed during the year 1990: The total consumption of these three meats was 93 kg per capita per year, of which 77 kg were beef, 11 kg poultry, and about 5 kg pork (mostly sausages).

today Poultry meat It’s along with the vaccine. This increasing demand came as a result of changes in consumer habits for economic reasons and new food trends.

But the poultry sector also had a lot to do with it, because they knew it Install chicken as an alternativealong with strong growth in production.

So we went from producing 919,000 tons In 2000 to 2.3 million in 2024This is a size that could be exceeded this year.

the History of poultry farming Commercial meat production in the country began in the 1950s, but the first leap occurred in the 1970s and 1980s with Vertical integration For companies, gain efficiency in production.

In the nineties, with Law of convertibility At full steam, companies slowed their growth. But, according to the head of the Center for Poultry Processing Enterprises (CEPA), Carlos SensiHe added, “The reality also helped companies benefit from advanced technology by taking advantage of the exchange rate.”

“Big change has been happening since 2002when companies draw up the first strategic plan until 2010: it was decided first to occupy all our idle capacities and start the export growth cycle, with increases of 10% per year. We go from work 261 million heads in 2002 to 616 million in 2010Sensei added.

In 2011 to 2017, the sector produced Second strategic planAs more technology was integrated, warehouses were expanded and a record of approx Exporting 400 thousand tons in 2013But as of 2018, due to the country’s weak macroeconomic situation, the sector was not growing as expected, and to this were added two bird flu outbreaks.

However, they appreciate it 753 million heads will be slaughteredWhich will produce 2.5 million tons of meat and export 220 thousand tons.

in eggThe explosion of production and consumption was similar: in 2002, we moved out of production and consumption 27 million laying hens Resulting in the production of 7.688 million units 59.9 million currentlyWith a production of 18,277 million units.

So, Consumption increased from 159 eggs per person annually to 380 eggspositioning itself as one of the staple foods of Argentines.

President of the Argentine Chamber of Poultry Producers and Processors (CAPIA), Javier BredaHe explained that this growth is due to the quality of the product, as well as the technological and genetic leap in this sector.

“We began to realize the benefits of this highly integrated food, as it went from being an ingredient to a staple food. Also, it gained popularity because of its low cost. And so, with the integration of technology, with new machines and genetic lines, plus the presence of high-quality corn and soybeans at the farm’s doorstep, it made its cost of production very low. This combo pushed the egg, After red meat, it is the most frequently chosen food “For the Argentines,” Breda concluded.

condition Pig production It is even more exciting in its growth: In 2002, two million heads were slaughtered Producing 171 thousand tons of meat To 8.3 million heads And 808,406 tons in 2024. Consumption grew from 5 to 17.13 kilograms per inhabitant per year. .

Chairman of JLC Consulting, Juan UcelliHe believes that consumption is higher: he puts it at 20 kilograms per person, of which only 3 kilograms are in the form of sausages and 17 kilograms are in the form of fresh pieces.

According to Uccelli, there has been a process of expansion of the activity, which began in the 1990s when it stopped being a tertiary activity in the countryside, to start creating an industry: “There is a change with Integrating genetics, facilities, management and modern health vision This was later reinforced at the beginning of 2000 when we started the pork campaign.

Thus, “we went from being pig producers to being pig producers in the 1990s to being Pork producers In the year 2000.”

But it was also fundamental “Change mindset” From producers who are starting to see the activity in commercial form. All of this allowed us to go from productivity 800 kilograms per pig in the 1980s, reaching 4,400 kilograms today.

in case Sheep production -Whether for meat or wool–in recent decades there has been evidence of this Strong contraction For activity that has a significant export footprint, which has also declined.

According to official data, Sheep rodeo Their number decreased from 15 million heads in 2010 to 12.4 million heads in 2024, a decrease of 17.3%. However, it must be taken into account that in 1985 there were 25.2 million animals, which represents a significant decrease.

naturally, Slaughter for meat production decreased from 4.06 million headsYes in 2010 to 880,000 in 2024Production decreased from 75,000 tons to 14,448 tons currently, while exports increased from 8,538 tons to 5,129 tons in the same period. As for local consumption, it is minimal: only 1.5 kilograms per person, according to special estimates.

As for Wool exportAgricultural data show that half of what was shipped in 2010 is now exported: rising from 61,547 to 31,088 tons in 15 years.

In the sector they explain that this decline responds to a Multiple structural factors: climatic conditions, lack of profitability, advance of predators and competition for food and water with guanacos, among others.