Doing Business In Argentina

Agricultural Sectors Return to top
Animal Genetics (Bovine Semen)
Overview Return to top
3/4/2008
2005 2006 2007 (estimated)
Total Market Size 15.5 18.0 21.8
Total Local Production 8.6 9.5 11.0
Total Exports 0.6 1.0 1.2
Total Imports * 7.6 9.5 12.0
Imports from the U.S.
2.5 3.1 4.3
**
Millions of USD. Exchange Rate 1USD=3 Argentine Pesos.
Sources: Official Argentine Customs statistics and industry contacts
* Market price; ** FOB value
Argentina has over 50 million head of cattle. Approximately 2.2 million cows are dairy
and roughly 20.8 million are of beef breeds. While local beef cattle are of very good
quality, dairy cows need to continue to improve to meet high quality standards. Of the
imported semen, more than 95 percent is from dairy breeds (96 percent Holsteins; 3
percent Jerseys; 1 percent Brown Swiss). Beef genetic imports are primarily Black and
Red Angus. The U.S. accounts for approximately 70 percent of the total imported
market, followed by Canada.
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Holstein semen accounts for the largest share by far, but beef breeds semen have also
good potential growth.
Opportunities Return to top
The local dairy industry needs to continue using high quality genetics in order to produce
efficiently, especially with the new trend of moving towards free stall production systems.
Therefore, the use of imported Holstein semen will continue to be strong. Local semen
distributors, representing foreign companies, foresee good opportunities in the beef
sector as well, as there is much to improve in the use of semen with production data
(EPDs). This market is big, but efforts in educating breeders will be key. Black and Red
Angus, Braford and Hereford semen have the greatest market potential.
Resources Return to top
National Association of Animal Breeders: www.naab-css.org
Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Fishing and Foods: www.sagpya.mecon.gov.ar