Argentina lifts 50-year ban on live cattle exports
Argentina will now allow the export of live cattle for slaughter, ending a ban that had been in place since 1973.
President Javier Milei signed an order to remove the restriction as part of his plan to open up the economy and reduce government control.
The new rule which took effect on February 27 could shake up Argentina’s meat industry.
The country is one of the world’s biggest beef exporters, with a cattle population of around 53 million—more than its human population.
Major local meat companies, such as Grupo Coto and Grupo Beltran, compete with large Brazilian firms like Marfrig Global Foods and Minerva.
Milei, who describes himself as a libertarian, has been pushing for free-market policies to pull Argentina out of its economic struggles.
Supporters believe lifting restrictions on cattle exports will create new business opportunities, while some have expressed concerns that it could disrupt the local meat industry.
Argentina is the world’s fifth-largest beef exporter, according to the US Department of Agriculture.
