Post projects Argentine beef production for 2014 at 2.9 million tons (carcass weight equivalent). This two percent increase from USDA’s number is justified by expected larger slaughter due to a higher cattle supply and the fact that cattle are slaughtered younger and lighter for the domestic market which takes over 93 percent of the country’s beef supply. Beef exports in 2014 are now estimated at 200,000 tons, 20,000 tons lower than USDA. The government continues to assert a strong control on exports and meat packers’ returns are very small due to increasing costs and limited exports.
