Uruguay sets the difference in the meat market: what Argentina can learn

On the global map of beef production, Uruguay and Argentina share history, tradition, and a well-established reputation for quality. However, recent numbers reveal a striking contrast: while Uruguay produces only 20% of the beef volume that Argentina generates, it manages to export nearly 60% of what its neighbor sells abroad. The secret lies not in producing more, but in exporting better: 82% of Uruguayan beef crosses borders, compared to a modest 30% in the Argentine case. This differential reflects two production and commercial models that today place Uruguay in a privileged position within the international market. According to a recent report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), projections for 2026 indicate that Uruguayan exports will reach 520,000 carcass weight equivalent (CWE) tons, the second highest level in its history. Meanwhile, the country's total production will stand at 635,000 CWE tons, also close to a historical record. Argentina, on the other ...