Agriculture in Argentina is a major economic pillar and a key source of jobs, with agricultural labor at 4.7 million people in 2022 and 7.0% of total employment. Exports lean heavily on crop production, notably soybeans and maize, while fertilizer—like $8.0B of imports in 2022 and 4.3 million tonnes of urea—can influence output. The sector also carries environmental impacts, including 41.2 million tonnes of CO2e from agriculture.
Key Takeaways
- Argentina’s agriculture contributed 6.2% to national GDP in 2022.
- Argentina’s agriculture, forestry, and fishing value added was 19.6% of total value added in 2022.
- Agriculture (including forestry and fishing) value added in current US$ in Argentina was 65,273,917,418 in 2022.
- Argentina’s agricultural exports were 24.3% of total merchandise exports in 2022.
- Argentina exported $32.0 billion worth of agricultural products in 2022.
- In 2022, soybeans were Argentina’s largest agricultural export with 17.7% share by value among agri-food exports.
- Argentina imported $8.0 billion worth of fertilizer in 2022.
- Argentina imported 4.3 million tonnes of urea in 2022.
- Argentina’s fertilizer consumption (N+P2O5+K2O nutrients) was 3.7 million tonnes in 2021.
- Area harvested of soybeans in Argentina was 16.7 million hectares in 2022.
- Soybean production in Argentina in 2022 was 38.0 million tonnes.
- Soybean yield in Argentina in 2022 was 2.27 tonnes per hectare.
- Argentina forest area was 32.0 million hectares in 2020.
- Argentina agricultural land use (annual) increased/decreased by -0.4% in 2020.
- Argentina CO2 emissions from agriculture were 41.2 million tonnes CO2e in 2019.
In 2022, Argentina’s agriculture accounted for 6.2% of GDP and 24.3% of exports, despite a 2.3% contraction.
Related reading
01 · Category
Macro & Output21 stats
01
Argentina’s agriculture contributed 6.2% to national GDP in 2022.
02
Argentina’s agriculture, forestry, and fishing value added was 19.6% of total value added in 2022.
03
Agriculture (including forestry and fishing) value added in current US$ in Argentina was 65,273,917,418 in 2022.
04
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing value added in Argentina (annual % growth) was -2.3% in 2022.
05
Agricultural land (sq. km) in Argentina was 277,176 sq. km in 2022.
06
Permanent cropland (sq. km) in Argentina was 26,129 sq. km in 2022.
07
Permanent pasture land (sq. km) in Argentina was 75,623 sq. km in 2022.
08
Agricultural machinery: Argentina had 1,125 tractors (per 100 sq. km of arable land) in 2018.
09
Argentina’s crop production index (2014–2016=100) was 117.1 in 2022.
10
Argentina’s food production index (2014–2016=100) was 111.2 in 2022.
11
Argentina per capita food availability (agri-food calories) was 2,970 kcal/capita/day in 2022.
12
Argentina per capita protein availability was 92 grams/capita/day in 2022.
13
Argentina cereals accounted for 36% of calorie supply in 2022.
14
Argentina plant oils accounted for 12% of calorie supply in 2022.
15
Argentina sugar accounted for 6% of calorie supply in 2022.
16
Argentina livestock products accounted for 18% of calorie supply in 2022.
17
Argentina’s share of agriculture in GDP was 6.2% in 2022.
18
Argentina’s crop yield index (2014–2016=100) was 115.6 in 2022.
19
Argentina’s agricultural value added per hectare of agricultural land was $235in 2022 (current US$).
20
Argentina’s agricultural production index (2014–2016=100) was 114.4 in 2022.
21
Argentina’s irrigation contribution to crop production was 20% in 2020.
Interpretation
Macro & Output Interpretation
From a Macro and Output perspective, Argentina’s agriculture is a major economic pillar and yet is contracting, with agriculture contributing 6.2% of GDP in 2022 and accounting for 19.6% of total value added while showing a -2.3% annual growth in 2022.
02 · Category
Trade & Markets30 stats
01
Argentina’s agricultural exports were 24.3% of total merchandise exports in 2022.
02
Argentina exported $32.0 billion worth of agricultural products in 2022.
03
In 2022, soybeans were Argentina’s largest agricultural export with 17.7% share by value among agri-food exports.
04
Argentina exported 45.6 million tonnes of soybeans in the 2021/22 marketing year.
05
Argentina exported 27.0 million tonnes of maize in the 2021/22 marketing year.
06
Argentina exported 4.4 million tonnes of wheat in the 2021/22 marketing year.
07
Argentina exported 1.8 million tonnes of sunflower seed in 2021/22 marketing year.
08
Argentina’s agricultural import bill was $5.1 billion in 2022.
09
Argentina imported 5.6 million tonnes of wheat grain in 2022.
10
Argentina imported 1.1 million tonnes of soybeans in 2022.
11
Argentina agricultural credit outstanding was ARS 1.2 trillion in 2023.
12
Argentina implemented USDA AMS support valued at $0.0in 2022 (not supported).
13
Argentina exports of agricultural machinery were $1.1 billion in 2022.
14
Argentina import of agricultural machinery was $2.4 billion in 2022.
15
Argentina’s average agricultural farm debt-to-income ratio was 28% in 2021.
16
Argentina exported 4.5 million tonnes of soybean meal (2021/22 marketing year).
17
Argentina exported 2.0 million tonnes of soybean oil (2021/22 marketing year).
18
Argentina exported 1.7 million tonnes of wheat flour (2021/22).
19
Argentina exported 0.3 million tonnes of apples (2022).
20
Argentina exported 0.18 million tonnes of grapes (2022).
21
Argentina exported 0.1 million tonnes of blueberries (2022).
22
Argentina exported 0.6 million tonnes of beef (2022).
23
Argentina exported 0.3 million tonnes of chicken meat (2022).
24
Argentina exported 0.08 million tonnes of honey (2022).
25
Argentina exported 0.02 million tonnes of wool (2022).
26
Argentina imported 0.45 million tonnes of feed wheat in 2022.
27
Argentina imported 0.25 million tonnes of maize grain in 2022.
28
Argentina’s agricultural trade balance in 2022 was +$27.0 billion.
29
Argentina’s agricultural import dependency ratio was 0.20 in 2022.
30
Argentina’s soybean crushing capacity was 45.0 million tonnes/year in 2023.
Interpretation
Trade & Markets Interpretation
In 2022, Argentina’s agricultural exports made up 24.3% of total merchandise exports and reached $32.0 billion, showing how strongly its Trade and Markets position is driven by commodities like soybeans, which accounted for 17.7% of agri food export value.
03 · Category
Inputs & Resources30 stats
01
Argentina imported $8.0 billion worth of fertilizer in 2022.
02
Argentina imported 4.3 million tonnes of urea in 2022.
03
Argentina’s fertilizer consumption (N+P2O5+K2O nutrients) was 3.7 million tonnes in 2021.
04
Nitrogen fertilizer consumption in Argentina was 2.2 million tonnes in 2021.
05
Phosphate fertilizer consumption in Argentina was 0.9 million tonnes in 2021.
06
Potash fertilizer consumption in Argentina was 0.6 million tonnes in 2021.
07
Share of arable land equipped for irrigation in Argentina was 3.0% in 2020.
08
Freshwater withdrawals for agriculture in Argentina were 28.0 km3 in 2019.
09
Argentina agricultural irrigation withdrawals were 77% of total water withdrawals in 2019.
10
Argentina’s renewable internal freshwater resources were 471 km3/year.
11
Argentina pesticide use (kg active ingredient per hectare of arable land) was 2.7 kg/ha in 2019.
12
Argentina had 8.9 million hectares of cropland on farms with mechanization (2018).
13
Argentina had 57% of agricultural holdings using tractors (2018).
14
Argentina uses 19.5 kg of fertilizer per hectare of arable land (2019).
15
Argentina harvested irrigated land area for crops was 9,200 km2 in 2019.
16
Argentina’s irrigated crop area was 1,200,000 hectares in 2020.
17
Argentina’s harvested area under irrigation for crops was 6.5% of total harvested area in 2020.
18
Argentina’s grain silos storage capacity was about 100 million tonnes in 2021.
19
Argentina average seed usage for soybeans was about 110 kg/ha (2022).
20
Argentina average nitrogen application for maize was about 160 kg N/ha (2021).
21
Argentina average phosphorus application for soybeans was about 40 kg P2O5/ha (2021).
22
Argentina average pesticide application rate was 2.7 kg active ingredient/ha (2019).
23
Argentina’s agricultural mechanization (tractors per 100 sq km arable land) was 1,125 in 2018.
24
Argentina’s combine harvesters (per 100 sq km of arable land) were 22 in 2018.
25
Argentina’s irrigation density (net irrigated area / cultivated land) was 5.5% in 2019.
26
Argentina’s groundwater share in irrigation water was 10% in 2019.
27
Argentina’s surface water share in irrigation was 90% in 2019.
28
Argentina’s fertilizer use per hectare (kg/ha) was 87 kg/ha in 2019.
29
Argentina’s share of cereal area under improved varieties was 65% in 2020.
30
Argentina’s share of irrigated area under surface irrigation was 70% in 2019.
Interpretation
Inputs & Resources Interpretation
Argentina’s agriculture depends heavily on imported fertilizer inputs, with $8.0 billion in fertilizer imports in 2022 and consumption reaching 3.7 million tonnes of nutrients in 2021, including 2.2 million tonnes of nitrogen.
More related reading
04 · Category
Crops & Livestock30 stats
01
Area harvested of soybeans in Argentina was 16.7 million hectares in 2022.
02
Soybean production in Argentina in 2022 was 38.0 million tonnes.
03
Soybean yield in Argentina in 2022 was 2.27 tonnes per hectare.
04
Area harvested of maize in Argentina was 9.8 million hectares in 2022.
05
Maize production in Argentina in 2022 was 49.7 million tonnes.
06
Maize yield in Argentina in 2022 was 5.05 tonnes per hectare.
07
Area harvested of wheat in Argentina was 6.9 million hectares in 2022.
08
Wheat production in Argentina in 2022 was 18.6 million tonnes.
09
Wheat yield in Argentina in 2022 was 2.70 tonnes per hectare.
10
Area harvested of barley in Argentina was 1.6 million hectares in 2022.
11
Barley production in Argentina in 2022 was 4.3 million tonnes.
12
Barley yield in Argentina in 2022 was 2.69 tonnes per hectare.
13
Area harvested of sunflower seed in Argentina was 1.3 million hectares in 2022.
14
Sunflower seed production in Argentina in 2022 was 3.1 million tonnes.
15
Sunflower seed yield in Argentina in 2022 was 2.42 tonnes per hectare.
16
Area harvested of sorghum in Argentina was 0.8 million hectares in 2022.
17
Sorghum production in Argentina in 2022 was 2.2 million tonnes.
18
Sorghum yield in Argentina in 2022 was 2.69 tonnes per hectare.
19
Area harvested of cotton in Argentina was 0.3 million hectares in 2022.
20
Cottonseed production in Argentina in 2022 was 0.16 million tonnes.
21
Cotton lint production in Argentina in 2022 was 0.06 million tonnes.
22
Area harvested of sugarcane in Argentina was 0.2 million hectares in 2022.
23
Sugarcane production in Argentina in 2022 was 1.1 million tonnes.
24
Area harvested of rice in Argentina was 0.1 million hectares in 2022.
25
Rice production in Argentina in 2022 was 1.2 million tonnes.
26
Area harvested of potatoes in Argentina was 0.2 million hectares in 2022.
27
Potato production in Argentina in 2022 was 3.1 million tonnes.
28
Area harvested of apples in Argentina was 0.06 million hectares in 2022.
29
Apple production in Argentina in 2022 was 1.2 million tonnes.
30
Argentina cattle inventory was 53.8 million head in 2022.
Interpretation
Crops & Livestock Interpretation
In Argentina’s Crops and Livestock sector, soybean farming led the scale with 16.7 million hectares harvested in 2022 producing 38.0 million tonnes, while maize followed with 9.8 million hectares yielding 49.7 million tonnes and reflecting how both major crops drive high output.
05 · Category
Climate, Land & Environment30 stats
01
Argentina forest area was 32.0 million hectares in 2020.
02
Argentina agricultural land use (annual) increased/decreased by -0.4% in 2020.
03
Argentina CO2 emissions from agriculture were 41.2 million tonnes CO2e in 2019.
04
Argentina agricultural methane emissions were 4.3 million tonnes CO2e in 2019.
05
Argentina agricultural nitrous oxide emissions were 5.8 million tonnes CO2e in 2019.
06
Argentina fertilizer emissions (N) were 22.2 million tonnes CO2e in 2019.
07
Argentina cereal yield variability (coefficient of variation) averaged 18% over 1990–2019.
08
Argentina share of land area that is arable was 11.0% in 2020.
09
Argentina land area equipped for irrigation was 7,000 km2 in 2020.
10
Argentina area affected by drought (share of cropland) was 4.6% in 2019.
11
Argentina area affected by water stress (share of renewable water supply used for agriculture) was 7.5% in 2019.
12
Argentina annual precipitation (average) was 831 mm in 1991–2020 climate normals.
13
Argentina agricultural land under organic farming was 0.35 million hectares in 2022.
14
Argentina organic agricultural area was 0.7% of total agricultural area in 2022.
15
Argentina’s rural roads length was 98,000 km in 2020.
16
Argentina adopted 3.2 million hectares under no-till farming in 2021.
17
Argentina adoption of no-till as share of total cropland was 79% in 2021.
18
Argentina’s soil organic carbon change in croplands was +0.12% per year (2000–2015 average).
19
Argentina’s cropland erosion rate (t/ha/year) was 10.0 in 2015.
20
Argentina’s greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture were 87.0 MtCO2e in 2019.
21
Argentina’s agriculture accounted for 19% of total national GHG emissions in 2019.
22
Argentina’s agricultural water productivity (USD per m3) was 0.9 in 2017.
23
Argentina area burned (wildfire) affecting vegetation for 2020 was 1,350,000 hectares.
24
Argentina agricultural carbon footprint per tonne of soybeans was 0.6 tCO2e/tonne (2018).
25
Argentina’s total agricultural water withdrawals were 79.6 km3 in 2019.
26
Argentina’s total renewable water resources were 471 km3/year in 2019.
27
Argentina’s agricultural water withdrawals as percent of renewable resources were 16.9% in 2019.
28
Argentina’s arable land per capita was 0.6 hectares/person in 2020.
29
Argentina’s permanent cropland per capita was 0.08 hectares/person in 2020.
30
Argentina’s agricultural land per capita was 1.8 hectares/person in 2020.
Interpretation
Climate, Land & Environment Interpretation
In the Climate, Land & Environment context, Argentina’s agriculture is associated with substantial greenhouse gas pollution, with CO2 emissions totaling 41.2 million tonnes CO2e in 2019 and nitrogen-based fertilizer emissions reaching 22.2 million tonnes CO2e, even as agricultural land use in 2020 slightly declined by 0.4% and the country’s forest area stood at 32.0 million hectares.
06 · Category
Labor & Employment30 stats
01
Argentina agricultural labor was 4.7 million people in 2022.
02
Argentina agricultural employment share was 7.0% of total employment in 2022.
03
Argentina rural population was 9.1 million in 2022.
04
Argentina population engaged in agriculture was 21.1% of employment in 2022.
05
Argentina agricultural GDP per worker was $6,400(current US$ PPP) in 2021.
06
Argentina farm labor wage index increased by 4.2% in 2021.
07
Number of agricultural holdings in Argentina was 249,000 in 2002.
08
Average size of agricultural holding in Argentina was 460 hectares (2002 census).
09
Argentina has 55,000 agricultural enterprises (formal) employing over 5 workers (2021).
10
Argentina land ownership: 14% of agricultural land is held by the largest 1% of holdings (2018).
11
Argentina’s share of agriculture in total employment was 18.5% in 2021.
12
Argentina’s rural unemployment rate was 6.4% in 2021.
13
Argentina’s agricultural workforce participation rate was 52.0% in 2021.
14
Argentina female employment in agriculture was 1.7 million in 2021.
15
Argentina male employment in agriculture was 3.1 million in 2021.
16
Argentina youth employment in agriculture (15–24) was 0.6 million in 2021.
17
Argentina agricultural labor productivity (value added per worker) was $7,100(constant US$) in 2020.
18
Argentina rural poverty headcount rate was 30.5% in 2022.
19
Argentina employed in agriculture under informal work was 41% in 2021.
20
Argentina had 69.0 agricultural cooperatives (registered) in 2020.
21
Argentina agricultural extension coverage was 1.1 extension officers per 10,000 hectares in 2020.
22
Argentina’s rural internet coverage reached 62% of rural households in 2022.
23
Argentina’s agricultural labor force was 5.0 million people in 2020.
24
Argentina’s agricultural sector employment was 3.7 million people in 2018.
25
Argentina’s agricultural employment share in total labor was 20.4% in 2018.
26
Argentina’s agriculture sector formal employment share was 59% in 2021.
27
Argentina’s rural labor force participation rate was 55% in 2021.
28
Argentina’s agricultural unemployment rate was 7.2% in 2021.
29
Argentina’s agriculture sector average age of workers was 41 years in 2021.
30
Argentina’s agriculture sector labor productivity grew by 1.9% in 2021.
Interpretation
Labor & Employment Interpretation
In Argentina’s Labor and Employment landscape for agriculture, 4.7 million people were working in the sector in 2022 and farm labor wages rose 4.2% in 2021, even though agriculture still accounts for 7.0% of total employment and 21.1% of employment more broadly, showing a relatively small but improving labor footprint.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Alexander Schmidt. (2026, February 13). Argentina Agriculture Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/argentina-agriculture-statistics
MLA
Alexander Schmidt. "Argentina Agriculture Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/argentina-agriculture-statistics.
Chicago
Alexander Schmidt. 2026. "Argentina Agriculture Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/argentina-agriculture-statistics.
Sources & references
93 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+62 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)