25/06/2026 13:37 - Economia
Argentine beef exports to the United States saw a staggering year-on-year growth of 369% in May 2026, reaching sales of US$ 86 million. This surge has positioned beef as a key driver of bilateral trade between the two nations.
| Indicator | May 2026 | YoY Variation |
|---|---|---|
| Beef Sales to USA | US$ 86 million | +369% |
| Exported Volume | 11,000 tons | Equivalent to 8 months of 2025 |
| Total Exports to USA | US$ 878 million | +76% |
| Bilateral Trade Surplus | US$ 373 million | Favorable to Argentina |
| Jan-May Accumulated (Beef) | US$ 360 million | +201% |
In early February 2026, the administration of Donald Trump officially expanded the import quota for Argentine beef, raising it from 20,000 to 100,000 tons annually.
This decision multiplied the authorized volume by five and was presented by both governments as one of the first concrete results of the new era in bilateral relations.
The Argentine Beef Week in the United States took place between April 27 and May 1, 2026, in Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Organized by PromArgentina alongside the Foreign Ministry, the Argentine Embassy, and the IPCVA (Argentine Beef Promotion Institute), the initiative generated over 200 commercial contacts between exporters and US importers.
According to PromArgentina, total exports to the US market reached US$ 3,981 million between January and May 2026, marking a 46.6% increase from the previous year and a record for the period.
Other products hitting record numbers include honey (US$ 96 million) and garlic (US$ 17 million).
An import quota is a mechanism that limits the amount of product allowed into a country under preferential tariff conditions. By expanding the quota from 20,000 to 100,000 tons, the US allowed Argentina to export up to five times more beef without facing additional trade barriers.
As reported by LA NACIÓN, by May 2026, over 7,000 tons had already been certified under the additional allowance authorized by the US.
Trade exchange between Argentina and the United States reached US$ 1,383 million in May 2026, with a favorable surplus for Argentina of US$ 373 million. This result is part of a government strategy to strengthen commercial ties with the US, including the signing of a trade and investment agreement and various promotion activities in the North American market.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
