Argentina announces agreement with Japan to open up beef exports
Deal clears sanitary hurdles for exports from Argentina’s main cattle-producing regions, although shipments still await Japanese inspection. Leer más
Argentina's government has declared an agreement with Japan to open up beef exports, nearly two decades after initially seeking access to the lucrative market. The decision follows a 12-stage process that began in 2006 and was revived in 2024, becoming a priority for the government. Economy Minister Luis Caputo hailed the agreement as historic, stating it would create new opportunities for Argentine production and exports.
Japan imports over US$3 billion worth of beef annually from various sources, and the deal acknowledges the quality of Argentine beef and its stringent sanitary controls. However, a 38.5 percent tariff on beef imports may impact the market's full potential. Argentina first sought access to Japan in 2006, with negotiations gaining momentum in 2024.
Japan has permitted importing beef and beef products from southern Argentina, recognized as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone without vaccination, since 2018. The agreement expands Argentina's access to the Japanese market beyond Patagonia, covering beef, beef by-products, and beef tongue from the foot-and-mouth disease-free zone with vaccination.
Exports from the authorized region can commence after Japan conducts an audit of Argentina's sanitary system and inspects and approves export establishments. The agreement followed Japan's Animal Health Committee's conclusion that the risk of foot-and-mouth disease introduction from northern Argentina would be extremely low if sanitary measures were applied.
While Argentina's beef exports reached a record US$3.7 billion in 2025, the industry faces challenges as slaughter and domestic consumption decline.
Written by urgent.news from Buenos Aires Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
