Beyond just supplying 15% of the world's soybeans, Argentina's farms are a powerhouse of diversity and scale, producing everything from record corn harvests and vast beef herds to specialty crops like quinoa and honey.
Key Takeaways
- Argentina's soybean production reached 50.3 million metric tons in the 2021/2022 crop year, accounting for 15% of global output.
- Corn production in Argentina totaled 52.3 million metric tons during the 2022/2023 season, up 37% from the previous year.
- Wheat harvested area in Argentina was 6.8 million hectares in 2022, yielding 21.2 million metric tons.
- Argentina's beef cattle herd numbered 53.5 million heads as of January 2023.
- Beef production reached 3.2 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent in 2022.
- Milk production totaled 11.3 billion liters from 1.9 million dairy cows in 2022.
- Agricultural land in Argentina covers 377 million hectares, 43% of total territory.
- Arable land area totals 23.8 million hectares, 6.3% of land area in 2021.
- Permanent crops occupy 1.2 million hectares, mainly vineyards and olives.
- Agricultural exports from Argentina totaled USD 52.3 billion in 2022.
- Soybean exports reached 12.5 million tons valued at USD 11.2 billion in 2022.
- Corn shipments hit 47 million tons, USD 14.5 billion revenue 2022.
- Agriculture contributes 10.5% to Argentina's GDP in 2022.
- Agroindustry employs 1.2 million direct jobs, 7% workforce 2022.
- Farm income from soy averaged USD 450/ha in 2022 season.
Argentina is a major global producer and exporter of soybeans, corn, wheat, and beef.
Crop Production
1Argentina's soybean production reached 50.3 million metric tons in the 2021/2022 crop year, accounting for 15% of global output.
Verified2Corn production in Argentina totaled 52.3 million metric tons during the 2022/2023 season, up 37% from the previous year.
Verified3Wheat harvested area in Argentina was 6.8 million hectares in 2022, yielding 21.2 million metric tons.
Verified4Sunflower seed production amounted to 3.7 million metric tons in Argentina for 2022/2023.
Directional5Barley production in Argentina hit 4.5 million metric tons in the 2022 harvest season.
Single source6Sorghum output reached 3.2 million metric tons across 1.1 million hectares in Argentina in 2022.
Verified7Peanut production in Argentina was 0.85 million metric tons from 0.22 million hectares in 2022.
Verified8Rice production totaled 1.05 million metric tons in Argentina's Entre Ríos province primarily in 2022.
Verified9Sugar cane crushed volume was 28.5 million tons, producing 1.8 million tons of sugar in 2022/2023.
Directional10Cotton production reached 0.25 million metric tons of fiber in Argentina for 2022/2023.
Single source11Grape production for wine in Mendoza province was 2.1 million tons in 2022.
Verified12Lemon production totaled 1.2 million metric tons, with 80% exported as juice in 2022.
Verified13Apple production in Río Negro valley was 0.52 million tons in 2022 harvest.
Verified14Maize yield per hectare improved to 7.8 tons in 2022/2023 due to biotech varieties.
Directional15Soybean yield averaged 3.1 tons per hectare across 17.2 million hectares in 2021/2022.
Single source16Wheat yield reached 3.1 tons/ha on prime pampas land in 2022.
Verified17Sunflower yield was 2.2 tons/ha from GMO varieties in 2022/2023.
Verified18Potato production hit 3 million tons from 0.12 million ha in 2022.
Verified19Tomato output for processing was 1.1 million tons in 2022.
Directional20Onion production totaled 0.75 million tons primarily in Buenos Aires in 2022.
Single source21Carrot production reached 0.4 million tons from 0.015 million ha in 2022.
Verified22Garlic output was 0.25 million tons, mostly in Mendoza, in 2022.
Verified23Tobacco leaf production declined to 65,000 tons in Salta province in 2022.
Verified24Yerba mate harvested 850,000 tons from 160,000 ha in Misiones in 2022.
Directional25Olive oil production was 28,000 tons from 85,000 ha in 2022/2023.
Single source26Tea leaf production totaled 85,000 tons in Misiones and Corrientes in 2022.
Verified27Quinoa production experimental yield averaged 1.5 tons/ha on 5,000 ha in 2022.
Verified28Chia seed output reached 12,000 tons from Salta and Jujuy in 2022.
Verified29Flaxseed production was 0.1 million tons in 2022.
Directional30Rapeseed production totaled 0.15 million tons primarily in Buenos Aires in 2022.
Single sourceCrop Production Interpretation
Argentina isn't just tangoing with beef and wine; it's a veritable agricultural powerhouse that shrewdly feeds the world's appetites, from its towering seas of soy and corn to its specialized cups of yerba mate and quinoa.
Economic Impact and Employment
1Agriculture contributes 10.5% to Argentina's GDP in 2022.
Verified2Agroindustry employs 1.2 million direct jobs, 7% workforce 2022.
Verified3Farm income from soy averaged USD 450/ha in 2022 season.
Verified4Total agribusiness value added USD 85 billion in 2022.
Directional5Rural poverty rate 25% vs urban 40% in agricultural provinces 2022.
Single source6Machinery sales to farmers USD 2.8 billion in 2022.
Verified7Fertilizer consumption 250 kg/ha on grains, USD 5B import 2022.
Verified8Seed market value USD 1.5 billion, 90% GM traits 2022.
Verified9Crop insurance covered 12 million ha, premiums USD 800M 2022.
Directional10Rural credit disbursed ARS 1.2 trillion to 45,000 producers 2022.
Single source11Average farm size 600 ha, 250,000 establishments 2021 census.
Verified12Women represent 30% of farm decision-makers in 2022 survey.
Verified13Youth under 35 operate 15% of farms, tech adopters 2022.
Verified14Agrochemical sales USD 3.2 billion, 80% to grains 2022.
Directional15Fuel consumption in ag 4.5 billion liters, USD 4B cost 2022.
Single source16Port handling fees for exports USD 2B revenue La Plata/Rosario 2022.
Verified17Cooperatives handle 20% production, 500 entities strong 2022.
Verified18R&D investment 0.8% ag GDP, USD 700M public-private 2022.
Verified19Carbon sequestration credits from no-till 50M tons CO2e 2022.
Directional20Tourism agritourism generated USD 500M, 1M visitors 2022.
Single source21Wheat farm profitability USD 200/ha gross margin 2022.
Verified22Dairy farm income average USD 15,000/cow/year 2022.
Verified23Beef cow-calf operation margin USD 150/head 2022.
VerifiedEconomic Impact and Employment Interpretation
Argentina's fields are a paradoxical powerhouse, feeding the world's appetite with world-class efficiency while the very provinces that grow its wealth still struggle to feed their own people.
Exports and Trade
1Agricultural exports from Argentina totaled USD 52.3 billion in 2022.
Verified2Soybean exports reached 12.5 million tons valued at USD 11.2 billion in 2022.
Verified3Corn shipments hit 47 million tons, USD 14.5 billion revenue 2022.
Verified4Wheat exports totaled 11.2 million tons to Brazil and Africa in 2022.
Directional5Beef exports volume 910,000 tons, USD 3.3 billion in 2022.
Single source6Soybean meal exports 28 million tons, 48% of global trade 2022.
Verified7Soybean oil exports 4.8 million tons, USD 4.1 billion 2022.
Verified8Sunflower oil shipments 3.2 million tons to India/EU 2022.
Verified9Wine exports value USD 1.1 billion, 270 million liters 2022.
Directional10Lemon juice concentrate exports 0.5 million tons 2022.
Single source11Peanut exports 0.4 million tons shelled to EU/US 2022.
Verified12Frozen beef to China 70% of total beef exports volume 2022.
Verified13Biodiesel from soy exports 1.2 million tons, USD 1.4B 2022.
Verified14Flour wheat exports 2.5 million tons mainly to Brazil 2022.
Directional15Live cattle exports suspended but hides 0.3M tons 2022.
Single source16Honey exports 55,000 tons to EU/US, USD 250M 2022.
Verified17Apple exports 0.25 million tons fresh to EU 2022.
Verified18Sorghum grain exports 3 million tons to Asia 2022.
Verified19Barley malt exports 1.5 million tons for brewing 2022.
Directional20Frozen lamb exports 45,000 tons to EU 2022.
Single source21Maize silage exports negligible but domestic trade high 2022.
VerifiedExports and Trade Interpretation
Argentina’s fields have essentially become the world’s grocery store, pantry, and fuel station, meticulously shipping everything from steaks and sunflowers to biodiesel and malts, proving the nation’s economy runs not on horsepower but on harvest power.
Land Use and Area
1Agricultural land in Argentina covers 377 million hectares, 43% of total territory.
Verified2Arable land area totals 23.8 million hectares, 6.3% of land area in 2021.
Verified3Permanent crops occupy 1.2 million hectares, mainly vineyards and olives.
Verified4Pasture land spans 140 million hectares for livestock grazing in 2022.
Directional5Pampas region arable land is 15 million ha, 65% of national total.
Single source6Deforested area for agriculture was 350,000 ha annually pre-2020 moratorium.
Verified7Irrigated land totals 1.55 million hectares, 6.5% of cropland in 2021.
Verified8Soybean sown area was 17.2 million ha in 2021/2022, 72% of arable.
Verified9Corn double-cropped after soy on 6.5 million ha in 2022/2023.
Directional10Wheat area 6.8 million ha in core winter cereal belt 2022.
Single source11Cattle grazing density averages 0.7 heads/ha on natural pastures.
Verified12Vineyard area totals 220,000 ha, 90% in Cuyo region 2022.
Verified13Citrus orchards cover 55,000 ha in NE provinces 2022.
Verified14Soy no-till farming practiced on 95% of 17M ha in 2022.
Directional15Cover crop usage on 20% of cropland post-harvest 2022.
Single source16Protected agriculture greenhouses span 3,500 ha nationally 2022.
Verified17Patagonia rangeland degradation affects 30 million ha.
Verified18Flooded rice paddies cover 0.13 million ha annually.
Verified19Oil palm experimental plantations 5,000 ha in Misiones 2022.
Directional20Urban sprawl encroaches 50,000 ha farmland yearly near Buenos Aires.
Single sourceLand Use and Area Interpretation
While Argentina boasts a vast agricultural empire where soybean reigns supreme over its arable kingdom, it grapples with the delicate balancing act of feeding the world and sustaining its own iconic landscapes, from the degraded pastures of Patagonia to the vineyards of Cuyo and the farmland yielding to urban sprawl.
Livestock and Animal Husbandry
1Argentina's beef cattle herd numbered 53.5 million heads as of January 2023.
Verified2Beef production reached 3.2 million metric tons carcass weight equivalent in 2022.
Verified3Milk production totaled 11.3 billion liters from 1.9 million dairy cows in 2022.
Verified4Pork production hit 0.35 million metric tons in 2022, up 5% YoY.
Directional5Sheep flock stood at 13.5 million heads, producing 0.12 million tons lamb meat in 2022.
Single source6Poultry meat output reached 2.1 million tons from 180 million broilers in 2022.
Verified7Wool production was 45,000 tons greasy from Patagonian sheep in 2022.
Verified8Goat population was 3.8 million heads, milk output 0.15 billion liters in 2022.
Verified9Honey production totaled 100,000 tons from 5.5 million beehives in 2022.
Directional10Calf production reached 11.5 million heads from beef cows in 2022.
Single source11Dairy cow average milk yield was 6,200 liters per lactation in 2022.
Verified12Beef exportable surplus was 800,000 tons in 2022.
Verified13Pig herd grew to 2.8 million heads with 6.5 million slaughterings in 2022.
Verified14Broiler average liveweight at slaughter was 2.6 kg in 2022.
Directional15Sheep meat yield per head averaged 18 kg carcass weight in Patagonia 2022.
Single source16Egg production totaled 3.5 billion units from 8 million laying hens in 2022.
Verified17Leather production from hides was 8 million units for export in 2022.
Verified18Aquaculture fish production reached 25,000 tons, mostly salmonids, in 2022.
Verified19Beef cattle average daily gain improved to 1.2 kg/day on feedlots in 2022.
Directional20Dairy farm average herd size was 120 cows in 2022.
Single source21Pork carcass yield from slaughter averaged 75% in 2022.
Verified22Lamb export volume was 90,000 tons frozen in 2022.
Verified23Poultry feed conversion ratio improved to 1.65 kg feed/kg gain in 2022.
Verified24Goat cheese production totaled 15,000 tons artisanal in northwest 2022.
DirectionalLivestock and Animal Husbandry Interpretation
Argentina’s agricultural output reads like a carnivore’s fever dream and a dairy lover’s to-do list, with the country’s cows practically running a meat-and-milk syndicate while sheep, chickens, and bees hustle to fill every last niche on the export ledger.
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