Argentina is in the final stages of negotiations to secure a deal allowing beef offal exports to China, according to sources close to the talks, as Beijing looks to broaden its food import sources while locked in a trade standoff with the U.S.
Key Deal Details
🤝 Negotiation Status:
- Technical discussions nearing completion, with Chinese officials visiting Argentina June 8 for final talks.
- IPCVA (Argentina’s beef agency) president: “We’re fine-tuning the last details.”
📅 Timeline: Approval expected “soon”, but exact date unclear.
Why It Matters for Argentina
🇦🇷 Export Boost:
- China buys ~66% of Argentina’s beef exports, but shipments fell to 56.4% in Q1 2025 (vs. 74.5% in 2023).
- Offal exports (currently sold globally) could open a new revenue stream.
📉 Price Recovery: China’s high inventories depressed prices early 2025, but demand is rebounding.
China’s Strategic Shift
🇨🇳 Diversification Drive:
- Reducing reliance on U.S. beef amid ongoing trade tensions.
- 2024 imports hit record 2.87M metric tons, with Brazil, Argentina, and Australia as top suppliers.
What’s Next?
- June 8 Meeting: Final technical hurdles may be cleared.
- Market Impact: A deal could stabilize Argentina’s beef trade after recent declines.
- Global Ripple: If finalized, it reinforces China’s pivot to non-U.S. ag suppliers.
Argentina Poised to Seal Beef Offal Export Deal With China Amid Trade Diversification Push