Doing Business In Argentina

Food Ingredients
Overview Return to top
3/4/2008
2005 2006 2007 (estimated)
Total Market Size 100 110 135
Total Local Production 50 55 65
Total Exports N.A. N.A. N.A.
Total Imports 50 55 70
Imports from the U.S. 24 27 25
Millions of USD. Exchange Rate 1USD=3 Argentine Pesos.
Sources: The above statistics are unofficial estimates, based on industry specialists.
Argentina’s food processing industry continues to grow as a result of record exports and
a very strong recovery of the domestic market. A strong dollar vis-à-vis the peso caused
a rapid substitution of many high-value imported goods for locally manufactured
products, which increased the use of food ingredients. In addition, larger local food
manufacturers have been shifting imports of food ingredients from Europe to the U.S.
due to the high value of the euro compared to the dollar.
Best Products/Services Return to top
Soy proteins, ingredients for functional foods, nutraceuticals, fibers, natural extracts,
additives, natural flavors, sweeteners, algae omega 3, flavor extruders for baked
products, ingredients for the juice industry, nutritional and health ingredients, natural
antioxidants.
Opportunities Return to top
The use of imported food ingredients is expected to continue to recover as many local
companies are very competitive in world markets and are focusing on increasing
production and expanding exports. In addition, because many food ingredients are not
produced locally, they must be imported, especially those which are tailor-made or used
to manufacture more sophisticated products.
Resources Return to top
Institute of Food Technologists: www.ift.org/cms (IFT)
National Association of Flavors and Food-Ingredient Systems:
(http://naffs.mytradeassociation.org/) (NAFFS)
Food Ingredients South America (FISA) (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Various food industry contacts, primarily participants of USDA/FAS Buenos Airessponsored
trade missions to the IFT Annual Food Expo.