Argentina Falls From Throne as King of Beef

In a country with more cows than people, beef consumption is in decline: Per capita consumption of beef in Argentina is 129 pounds, down from 222 pounds in 1956. High prices, rising demand for grains and the shift towards a more varied diet – reflected in rising demand for poultry, pasta and pizza – are reasons for the decline, reports Simon Romero for the New York Times. Government policies aim to lift beef consumption, including export restraints and price controls, yet inflation, modern trends of healthy eating and the emergence of vegetarian options reduce beef consumption. Moreover, these policies may be counterproductive and reduce profits, Romero reports. Argentina fell to the 11th place in the global ranking of beef exporters, behind its neighbors Paraguay and Uruguay. Concurrently, many cattle ranchers have shifted into soybean farming due to China’s rising demand for grains and the growing export potential. – YaleGlobal