Market Information 2012 - 2013
Argentina, a leading food producer and exporter
At present, the country makes up one of the most important economies of
South America and it is the third place after Brazil and Mexico in Latin
America. Worldwide, it is strategically positioned thanks to its renown
regarding soil conditions, productivity, quality, innovation,
agro-industrial capacity and qualified human resources.
The vast fertile land, exceptional ecological conditions, high levels of
productivity, highly skilled human resources and developed agro industrial
capacity make our country one of the leading producers and exporters of food
worldwide.
The Argentine food industry is consolidated; in fact, the incorporation of
biotechnology highlighted the industry due to its differentiated
and great value added products. It is on ideal conditions to supply the
strong global demand in the following market segments: vegetal oils; cereals
and milk products; meat, fish and seafood; fruit and vegetables and dairy
products.
In the second quarter of 2011, the food and beverage industry grew 4.2%
per year, thus employing 71% of its total installed capacity and with a
5.3% financing of the economy´s total credit. Exports were around US$ FOB
7.480 millions, which equals 11,439,000 tons. Imports, in turn,
reached US$ 323 million.
In the first ten months of 2011, the trade balance grew 25%; which
indicates that for the end of the year it will surpass eighty thousand
million dollars. The main component of exports is the set of the agro
industry which justifies almost 60% of the total. This includes primary
products and agricultural and livestock manufactured products, covering
processing and production.
The
industry of food and beverage:
- Represents 25% of the industrial GDP.
- Concentrates 4.6% of formal employment.
- Centralizes more than 500,000 direct jobs.
- Mainly exports to Brazil and the Netherlands and to a lesser extend
to Spain, Italy, Iran, India and Chile.
Positive
aspects of the sector
- New market segments to be exploited: gourmet food, organic food
and healthy food.
- Increase of food world demand due to an increase in population
and appearance of new high purchasing power consumers.
- Potential destinations for agricultural foreign trade: Brunei,
Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Singapore and Thailand.
- Favourable possibilities for agricultural products foreign
trade: South-East Asia, countries of Persian Gulf and North of
Africa.
- Sources: COPAL; DEFIBE; Diario Clarín; Diario La Nación;
ElRural.com; Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería y Pesca (Alimentos
Argentinos) and Subsecretaría de Desarrollo de Inversiones del
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto.
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