Argentina has recently surpassed Brazil as the top exporter of beef to China, and Argentine cattle ranchers are hoping to get more local meatpacking plants approved by Beijing, Reuters said in a Sept. 17 report.
China has been looking to diversify its protein supply as a result of the effects of African swine fever, and has found the source in Latin America.
Argentina typically exports cheaper beef cuts to China, but officials are in China promoting the country’s T-bone steaks and sirloins.
Argentina has seen beef sales to China more than double to $870 million in the first seven months of the year, according to data from the official National Institute of Statistics and Census of Argentina, and volume has jumped 129 percent compared to last year.
Santiago del Solar, chief of staff to Argentina’s agriculture minister, told Reuters there were many slaughterhouses up for approval and that China was working closely with Argentine food safety body Senasa.
