BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA (RFD News) — Strong U.S. demand for Argentine lean beef is giving exporters an attractive alternative to China, according to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service staff in Buenos Aires.
Argentina has consistently filled its regular 20,000-ton U.S. tariff-rate quota. The United States also granted an additional 80,000-ton duty-free quota for lean beef trimmings in 2026, divided into several tranches.
The first tranche was only partly used, but the second and third filled quickly. USDA expects the final October tranche to fill rapidly. The U.S. market is especially attractive because Argentine beef can receive higher prices with shorter, less costly freight than shipments to China.
China remains Argentina’s largest beef market, but USDA says stronger U.S. demand could divert some Argentine supplies away from Chinese buyers. Argentina’s 2027 beef exports are forecast near 800,000 metric tons carcass-weight equivalent.
The additional U.S. quota expires at the end of 2026, so future shipments will depend on whether expanded access is renewed and how global beef prices and competing quotas develop.
