Meat is at the heart of the disputes over the EU-Mercosur agreement

"It's the jewel with which local cuisine seduces tourists and the star of the asado, the culinary ritual that brings families and friends together around a grill whenever possible. In 2025, each Argentine citizen ate, on average, 49 kilos of beef, more than 10 times the consumption in Spain. Argentina's cattle ranchers, who allocate less than 25% of their production to exports, defend the local product"

"The price set there serves as the benchmark for all other livestock transactions in Argentina. In the MAC's corridors, amidst the ringing of bells signaling the start of auctions by consignees, an unprecedented optimism is palpable this week. The reason is the record price of steers, close to $3 per kilo, and the more than $5.20 paid internationally per kilo of carcass weight, the highest value in decades."

"Argentina exports 29,000 tons of beef annually to the EU under the Hilton quota, which carries a 20% tariff, and an additional 12,000 tons without tariff benefits. If the Mercosur agreement comes into effect, the tariff on the Hilton quota would be eliminated, and a new quota of 99,000 tons carcass weight to be divided among the four Mercosur countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay would be subject to a 7.5% tariff."

Beef is a staple in Argentina and central to social rituals such as the asado. Per capita consumption reached 49 kilos in 2025, over ten times Spain's level. Ranchers allocate less than 25% of production to exports and defend local consumption amid EU tariff reduction protests. The Canuelas Livestock Market handles 5,000–10,000 cattle daily and sets benchmark prices for the country. Recent record prices for steers near $3 per kilo and over $5.20 per kilo carcass internationally have generated strong optimism. Argentina currently exports 29,000 tons to the EU under the Hilton quota and 12,000 tons without benefits. The Mercosur-EU agreement would eliminate Hilton tariffs and create a 99,000-ton quota at 7.5% tariff shared among Mercosur countries.

Read at english.elpais.com