Why the U.S. Beef Market Is Turning to Argentina — and Why That’s Raising Eyebrows

When you reach for that steak or load up on ground beef at the grocery store, you might wonder: why are prices still so high? The answer: a mix of tight supply and global trade considerations.

Recently, Donald Trump suggested the U.S. might import more beef from Argentina in hopes of easing high domestic beef prices for consumers.

But many farmers and industry analysts say this move won’t change much — and it could stir trouble for U.S. producers.

What’s going on?

• Beef prices in the U.S. are unusually high, thanks in part to drought, reduced herd sizes, and less beef arriving from Mexico because of animal-health issues.

• The idea is to make up some of that shortfall by bringing in more beef from Argentina. Trump said: “We would buy some beef from Argentina … If we do that, that will bring our beef prices down.”

• But here’s the rub: imports from Argentina currently account for only about 2% of U.S. beef imports. Even if that doubled, the effect on prices may be minimal.

Why the skepticism?

• Many U.S. ranchers say the proposal conflicts with earlier efforts to promote American-made beef and reduce reliance on imports.

• Analysts point out that most of the beef imported from Argentina would be lean trimmings — the sort used in ground beef — meaning premium cuts like steaks would remain mostly unaffected.

• The policy suggestion has introduced uncertainty for producers who are just recovering from several tough years, which could dampen investment in herd expansion or farm upgrades.

What this means for you

If you’re a consumer, you might not feel much immediate relief from your beef bill. If you’re a rancher, you’re watching closely — the policy signals could affect the future of the business you count on.

Bottom line: while importing more beef from Argentina might sound like a simple fix, the numbers and the on-the-ground realities suggest it’s far from straightforward.