Overview
- In the last two weeks the Mercado de Cañuelas recorded a 14.55% jump in live cattle prices, from 3,080 to 3,528 pesos per kilo, accelerating pass-through to butchers’ counters.
- Localities report fresh markups: Córdoba up roughly 8–10%, Salta about 15% with merchants citing falling volumes, and Mar del Plata 10–15% after a 15–20% rise in cattle on the hoof.
- Industry sources cite heavy rains disrupting transport, decade-low herd rebuilding that limits supply, and renewed export pull for heavy animals as the main drivers.
- Butchers say they are absorbing part of the increases to avoid losing customers as shoppers buy smaller portions and prioritize cheaper cuts, with Mar del Plata stakeholders describing consumption near multi-decade lows.
- The government advanced chicken import quotas to ease protein shortages, while merchants note steady poultry increases of about 10% in October and processors warn prices could stay firm into the holiday period.