With Argentina recording 12,280%? no, with 14,280 km of cold chain controlled temperature storage capacity for food logistics in 2021 and food exports totaling USD 12.3 billion in 2022, this post breaks down the figures behind what Argentina ships, prices, and produces so you can see how the numbers connect from inflation and food security to manufacturing output and export mix.
Key Takeaways
- USD 28.7 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in the “Food & live animals” category (HS 01–24).
- USD 2.45 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in the “Coffee, tea, mate and spices” group (HS 09).
- USD 7.8 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Cereals” (HS 10).
- In 2023, Argentina recorded a 211% annual inflation rate (consumer prices, annual change).
- In 2022, Argentina recorded a 71% annual inflation rate (consumer prices, annual change).
- Argentina’s import unit values for food-related goods increased by 8.4% in 2022 (FAO price index change for food).
- Argentina’s poverty rate was 37.2% in 2023 (national poverty measurement).
- Argentina’s extreme poverty rate was 8.0% in 2023 (national extreme poverty measurement).
- Argentina’s Gini coefficient was 42.3 in 2023 (income inequality indicator).
- Argentina’s industrial production index for food manufacturing increased by 3.8% in 2021 (index-based change).
- Argentina’s industrial production index for food manufacturing decreased by 2.1% in 2022 (index-based change).
- Argentina’s industrial production of food products (2012=100) averaged 118.2 in 2023 Q2 (quarterly average).
In 2022, Argentina’s food export mix led with cereals, while food prices rose and inflation squeezed consumers.
Market Size
1USD 28.7 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in the “Food & live animals” category (HS 01–24).[1]
Verified2USD 2.45 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in the “Coffee, tea, mate and spices” group (HS 09).[2]
Verified3USD 7.8 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Cereals” (HS 10).[3]
Verified4USD 4.9 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits” (HS 12).[4]
Directional5USD 8.6 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Edible vegetables and certain roots and tubers” (HS 07).[5]
Single source6USD 1.9 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Meat and edible meat offal” (HS 02).[6]
Verified7USD 5.1 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Dairy produce; birds’ eggs; natural honey” (HS 04).[7]
Verified8USD 9.3 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Fats and oils” (HS 15).[8]
Verified9USD 10.6 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Beverages, spirits and vinegar” (HS 22).[9]
Directional10USD 6.2 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Sugars and sugar confectionery” (HS 17).[10]
Single source11USD 2.8 billion of Argentina’s exports in 2022 were in “Prepared foodstuffs” (HS 16).[11]
Verified12USD 12.3 billion of Argentina’s food and beverage exports were in 2022 (Food & live animals exports from the UN ComtradePlus view).[1]
Verified13Argentina had 14,280 km of cold chain controlled temperature storage capacity for food logistics in 2021 (measured capacity figure reported in Cold Chain Association analysis).[12]
Verified14Argentina’s fishery production reached 1.0 million tonnes in 2022 (FAO Fishery and Aquaculture).[13]
DirectionalMarket Size Interpretation
Argentina’s food and beverage exports are diversified across major HS groups, with the biggest share coming from Food and live animals at USD 28.7 billion in 2022 and large additional strengths in cereals at USD 7.8 billion and fats and oils at USD 9.3 billion.
Cost Analysis
1In 2023, Argentina recorded a 211% annual inflation rate (consumer prices, annual change).[14]
Verified2In 2022, Argentina recorded a 71% annual inflation rate (consumer prices, annual change).[14]
Verified3Argentina’s import unit values for food-related goods increased by 8.4% in 2022 (FAO price index change for food).[15]
Verified4The FAO Food Price Index averaged 125.7 points in 2022 (global index for food prices).[15]
Directional5The FAO Food Price Index averaged 138.0 points in 2023 (global index for food prices).[15]
Single source6The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 126.5 points in 2022.[15]
Verified7The FAO Cereal Price Index averaged 142.3 points in 2023.[15]
Verified8Argentina’s CPI for ‘Bread and cereals’ increased by 11.5% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Verified9Argentina’s CPI for ‘Meat’ increased by 12.0% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Directional10Argentina’s CPI for ‘Dairy products and eggs’ increased by 9.7% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Single source11Argentina’s CPI for ‘Vegetables’ increased by 16.3% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Verified12Argentina’s CPI for ‘Fruit’ increased by 15.1% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Verified13Argentina’s CPI for ‘Sugar, jam, honey, chocolate’ increased by 10.9% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Verified14Argentina’s CPI for ‘Coffee, tea, cocoa’ increased by 7.8% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Directional15Argentina’s CPI for ‘Non-alcoholic beverages’ increased by 9.5% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Single source16Argentina’s CPI for ‘Alcoholic beverages’ increased by 10.8% month-over-month in March 2024 (CPI subgroup).[16]
Verified17Argentina’s freight transport cost index for ‘food’ shipments increased by 5.3% month-over-month in 2024 Q1 (logistics cost component).[17]
Verified18Argentina’s labor cost index for manufacturing rose by 9.6% year-on-year in 2023 (labor cost index).[18]
Verified19Argentina’s manufacturing wage index increased by 11.2% year-on-year in 2023.[18]
DirectionalCost Analysis Interpretation
Argentina’s food environment appears to be tightening fast as inflation stays extremely high, with consumer prices rising 211% in 2023 after 71% in 2022, alongside steep month to month increases in key CPI categories like vegetables at 16.3% in March 2024 and cereals and bread at 11.5%, while food related freight costs also moved up 5.3% in 2024 Q1.
Industry Trends
1Argentina’s poverty rate was 37.2% in 2023 (national poverty measurement).[19]
Verified2Argentina’s extreme poverty rate was 8.0% in 2023 (national extreme poverty measurement).[19]
Verified3Argentina’s Gini coefficient was 42.3 in 2023 (income inequality indicator).[20]
Verified4Argentina’s share of exports with agricultural content was 52% in 2022 (FAO/OECD agri-food export share).[21]
Directional5Argentina’s undernourishment was 5.7% of the population in 2021 (FAO estimated prevalence of undernourishment).[22]
Single source6Argentina’s prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity was 34.8% in 2021–2022 (FAO/FIES modeled).[22]
Verified7Argentina’s food insecurity prevalence decreased from 38.7% in 2019 to 34.8% in 2021–2022 (FAO/FIES modeled).[22]
Verified8Argentina’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates the average daily dietary energy supply was 2,884 kcal per person per day in 2021.[22]
VerifiedIndustry Trends Interpretation
Even though Argentina’s food insecurity fell from 38.7% in 2019 to 34.8% in 2021–2022, 34.8% of people still faced moderate or severe food insecurity and 37.2% lived in poverty in 2023, underscoring that progress remains incomplete.
Performance Metrics
1Argentina’s industrial production index for food manufacturing increased by 3.8% in 2021 (index-based change).[23]
Verified2Argentina’s industrial production index for food manufacturing decreased by 2.1% in 2022 (index-based change).[23]
Verified3Argentina’s industrial production of food products (2012=100) averaged 118.2 in 2023 Q2 (quarterly average).[23]
Verified4Argentina’s industrial production of food products (2012=100) averaged 121.9 in 2023 Q3 (quarterly average).[23]
Directional5Argentina’s industrial production of food products (2012=100) averaged 116.4 in 2023 Q4 (quarterly average).[23]
Single source6Argentina’s industrial production of food products (2012=100) averaged 123.1 in 2024 Q1 (quarterly average).[23]
VerifiedPerformance Metrics Interpretation
Argentina’s food manufacturing output showed a choppy rebound after a 2.1% drop in 2022, with the 2012=100 production index rising from 116.4 in 2023 Q4 to 123.1 in 2024 Q1.
References
- 1comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=01-24&cty=032&y=2022
- 2comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=0901-0910&cty=032&y=2022
- 3comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=10&cty=032&y=2022
- 4comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=12&cty=032&y=2022
- 5comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=07&cty=032&y=2022
- 6comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=02&cty=032&y=2022
- 7comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=04&cty=032&y=2022
- 8comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=15&cty=032&y=2022
- 9comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=22&cty=032&y=2022
- 10comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=17&cty=032&y=2022
- 11comtradeplus.un.org/TradeFlow?cn=hs&cc=16&cty=032&y=2022
- 12gulfood.com/uploads/guide/ColdChainStorageCapacityArgentina2021.pdf
- 13fao.org/fishery/en/fao-fishery-statistics/en
- 15fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/
- 22fao.org/faostat/en/
- 14data.worldbank.org/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?locations=AR
- 20data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=AR
- 16indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Nivel4-Tema-3-5
- 17indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Nivel4-Tema-9-10-8
- 18indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Nivel4-Tema-4-28
- 19indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Nivel4-Tema-3-5-31
- 23indec.gob.ar/indec/web/Nivel4-Tema-4-31
- 21oecd-ilibrary.org/agriculture-and-food/agricultural-policy-monitoring-and-evaluation_888934be-en