Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormRefrigerated (Chilled) Packaged
Industry PositionProcessed Dairy Product (Milk Fat)
Market
In Argentina, butter (manteca) is defined in the Argentine Food Code (CAA) as a milk-fat product obtained from pasteurized cream via suitable technological processes, with specific compositional, microbiological, packaging, and labeling requirements. The Argentine dairy export system is regulated by SENASA, which certifies dairy exports to meet destination-country requirements and only from establishments authorized for international transit. Major branded retail butter offerings in Argentina include classic and reduced-fat variants sold in small packs (e.g., 100 g and 200 g) and distributed through modern trade retailers and B2B ordering channels. Export market access is destination-specific and, per SENASA guidance, some destinations can be closed to Argentine dairy products due to Argentina's foot-and-mouth disease (Fiebre Aftosa) sanitary status.
Market RoleProducer and exporter (export-capable dairy sector) with substantial domestic consumption
Domestic RoleRegulated retail dairy fat product widely sold in refrigerated packaged formats through supermarkets and B2B wholesale ordering channels
Specification
Physical Attributes- Solid, plastic consistency at 20°C with smooth, uniform texture and uniform water distribution (CAA).
- White-yellowish color without stains/veins/spots; mild characteristic flavor and delicate aroma without off-odors/flavors (CAA).
Compositional Metrics- Milkfat: minimum 82.0% (and not less than 80.0% for salted butter) (CAA).
- Moisture: maximum 16.0% (CAA).
- Milk solids-not-fat (extracto seco no graso): maximum 2.0% (CAA).
- For salted butter, sodium chloride is an optional ingredient up to 2 g per 100 g (CAA).
Grades- Manteca Calidad Extra (Class I, sensory evaluation reference in CAA).
- Manteca Calidad Primera (Class I-, sensory evaluation reference in CAA).
Packaging- Must be presented in food-grade packaging that protects against contamination; fractioning at points of sale is prohibited (CAA).
- Retail packs commonly include 100 g and 200 g formats for branded products (example: La Serenísima).
- Refrigerated storage guidance for branded retail butter: keep refrigerated at 2–8°C (example: La Serenísima).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Milk collection → cream separation/standardization → pasteurization (required for butter cream base under CAA) → churning/working → optional salting and/or maturation cultures (CAA) → packaging (CAA) → refrigerated distribution/retail
Temperature- Cold-chain handling is expected for retail butter; example branded guidance: store refrigerated at 2–8°C.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Market Access HighFor Argentine dairy exports (including butter), SENASA states that export feasibility is destination-specific and notes some destinations are closed to Argentine dairy products due to Argentina’s foot-and-mouth disease (Fiebre Aftosa) sanitary status, creating a potential hard market-access block depending on target country.Screen target destination requirements with SENASA before contracting; prioritize markets with agreed certificates; keep establishment listing/authorization current and maintain any required herd/process attestations.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDairy exports must be certified by SENASA and originate from SENASA-authorized establishments for international transit; non-compliance with destination-specific requirements can trigger suspension of certification and removal from destination lists.Maintain a destination-specific compliance matrix; conduct internal audits against SENASA and importer checklists; run pre-shipment documentation and traceability checks.
Food Safety MediumCAA sets compositional minima/maxima and microbiological criteria for butter; failure to meet these requirements can cause regulatory action and commercial rejection.Implement robust in-plant QC for compositional parameters (fat/moisture/SNF) and microbiological verification consistent with CAA; maintain hygienic GMP controls across processing and packing.
Price Volatility MediumInternational butter pricing can fluctuate; FAO’s dairy price reporting explicitly tracks butter quotations as a driver within the dairy price index, creating export revenue and contract risk for commodity-oriented sales.Use pricing clauses, shorter pricing windows, or hedging/benchmark-linked mechanisms where feasible; diversify customer mix across branded/value-added and commodity formats.
Logistics MediumButter requires cold-chain handling; temperature abuse during storage/transport can degrade quality and increase rejection risk, especially in longer export lanes.Use validated refrigerated storage and reefer logistics; monitor temperatures with data loggers; align storage set-points with brand/product guidance and buyer specifications.
Standards- HACCP (destination-conditional; referenced by SENASA as a requirement for some destinations such as Peru)
- BPM/BPF (Buenas Prácticas de Manufactura) referenced by SENASA as part of international-transit establishment requirements via Mercosur GMC 80/96
FAQ
What ingredients are allowed to make butter (manteca) in Argentina?Under the Argentine Food Code (CAA), butter is made from pasteurized cream obtained from milk. Salt is optional up to 2 g per 100 g for salted butter, and selected lactic ferments can be used for “manteca madurada.” The CAA also allows specific colorants and certain neutralizing salts as additives/processing aids for butter.
What do exporters need from SENASA to ship butter from Argentina?SENASA certifies Argentine dairy exports according to each destination’s requirements, and exports must come from establishments authorized by SENASA for international transit. Depending on the destination, the establishment may need to be listed/authorized for that market and the shipment must be covered by the applicable SENASA sanitary export certification documents.
Can butter be labeled as “sin sal” or “madurada” in Argentina?Yes. The CAA allows the sales designations “manteca sin sal” when salt was not used, and “manteca madurada” when selected lactic ferments are used for that product type. The CAA also recognizes quality mentions such as “extra” or “primera” tied to the butter’s quality classification.
What storage temperature is indicated for La Serenísima butter products?La Serenísima’s butter product information instructs keeping the product refrigerated at 2–8°C.