Argentina has officially announced the resumption of its avian meat exports to China, a significant move that comes after a two-year hiatus due to an avian influenza outbreak. The announcement was made during a meeting between Argentina's Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, and Wang Lingjun, the Vice Minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC), on March 18, 2025.
The Chinese market is a crucial destination for Argentine poultry and previously accounted for 45% of the country's avian meat exports, valued at approximately USD 170 million before the closure in March 2023. With the reopening, industry experts are hoping for a boost in production and competitiveness within the market. Notably, the resolution follows significant losses for the Argentinian poultry sector, which faced estimated damages of USD 210 million due to the ban. Argentina was unable to export around 120,000 tons of meat during this period, impacting its already struggling market.
According to Caputo, the rehabilitation of avian meat exports is expected to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Argentina and China, especially as they had previously collaborated significantly on soybean and corn sales. "The opportunity to resume our poultry exports reflects both the resilience and potential of our agricultural sector," Caputo stated during the announcement.
The joint announcement was formalized through Joint Communiqué No. 38 from the GACC and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture (MARA), and it underscored the need for new sanitary protocols that were also signed during the meeting. These protocols not only covered the reopening for poultry but also included agreements for the export of biliary calculi and various nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, and pistachios.
Experts see these developments as a way to revitalize investments that had been stalled in the Argentine poultry industry, with companies like Granja Tres Arroyos having previously curtailed expansion plans due to the export restrictions. The possibility to resume trade could lead to greater production capacity and potential enhancements in processing plant modernization, which has been a significant concern for the industry.
Looking forward, the priorities set for 2025 include the establishment of additional protocols for other products, particularly porcine giblets, dried plums, and fish products, along with negotiations paving the way for the export of bovine giblets. The Chinese delegation expressed its plans to further review protocols for various legumes, including beans, chickpeas, and lentils, thereby broadening the spectrum of Argentine agricultural products available to the Chinese market.
China has emerged as an essential market for the Argentine agro-industrial sector. In 2024 alone, it served as the second-largest recipient of Argentine agro-industrial exports, accumulating a total value of USD 5.183 million. This marks a notable 14% increase compared to the previous year's total exports, which stood at USD 4.559 million. The revival of avian exports is expected to contribute significantly to this upward trend.
In conclusion, the strategic reopening of the Chinese market is seen as a vital opportunity for Argentina's poultry sector to recover from the past losses and potentially realize future growth in both production and exports. As the landscape of international trade evolves, the importance of maintaining solid economic ties with China will be pivotal for the continued success of Argentina's agricultural industry.
