According to Argentine media reports, two more companies were added after the Argentine Customs seized four beef processing plants trying to export unauthorized beef that did not comply with the current 50% Export Restriction Order two weeks ago.

2 meat processing plants (OFFAL EXP and MADEKA) under investigation forged their declaration forms and packaging labels to export unauthorized products to China, totaling 44.525 tons.


They all violated Argentina’s Decree No. 408/2021 and exported unauthorized beef products to China.

The strict export control measures came into effect when the Argentine government decided to intervene in the beef market in May last year, and the government decided to extend Decree No. 408/2021 to October 31. The Decree stipulates a series of restrictions on the export of beef, such as prohibiting the export of beef cut products that are considered popular, and restricting the export volume of the categories that are permitted to be exported, reduced to 50% of last year’s exports.

The Argentine beef industry has been dissatisfied with the local government’s export Decree. They believe that it will affect the development of its industry, especially the loss of the Chinese market. Official data show that in 2020, Argentina exported about 897,500 tons of beef with a total value of about US$2.7 billion, of which 75% of the beef went to China. After the implementation of the Decree, Russia and Uruguay have increased their export efforts to seize Chinese market.