Overview
- Retail beef rose 3.3% in October and 61.8% year over year, with asado up 8.2%, according to CEPA and IPCVA monitors.
- Wholesale cattle values jumped again in early November, with novillos paid up to AR$4,200 per kilo live and in-foot prices rising 12–13% in roughly two weeks.
- Shops report fresh increases of about 8–12% in the last fortnight, with some popular cuts climbing more than 15% compared with October.
- Brazilian product has begun landing in Mendoza via Minerva/Swift, with several cuts priced roughly 20–30% below domestic equivalents to ease local shortages.
- Exports fell about 10.4% in January–September versus 2024 on softer Chinese demand, even as the FAO meat price index hit a nominal record and the market awaits China’s safeguard decision that could redirect trade flows; analysts warn retail prices could rise another 15–20% by year‑end if supply stays tight.