La carne de cerdo fresca Leading September and the Decline of Chacinados

The fresh pork segment recorded its strongest September in the historical series, with sales rising 13.4% compared with the same month of 2025. The Chamber of Argentine Chacinados and Pork Producers, Caicha, reported that the increase marks the best performance for a month other than December since the measurement began.

The expansion contrasts with the sustained retreat of processed pork. Chacinados sales fell 9.7% in September and completed seven consecutive months of year-on-year declines. As a result, the difference between the two segments reached 22.7 percentage points, the largest gap recorded in the series. Together, fresh pork and processed products increased total sector sales by 2% compared with September 2025.

Fresh pork gains ground

The first nine months of the year confirm the change in the sector's composition. Overall sales rose 1.3%, driven by a 7.7% increase in fresh pork, while processed products contracted 4.9%. The decline in processed pork became more pronounced throughout the year: sales fell 1.1% in the first quarter, 3.8% in the second and 9.9% between July and September.

One of the factors behind the expansion of fresh cuts is the relative price of pork. Since December 2023, pork prices rose 182%, compared with increases of 227% for beef and 191% for chicken. Caicha estimated that pork is currently 13.8% cheaper than beef and 3.1% cheaper than chicken on a relative basis. With the same amount that used to buy one kilogram of beef, consumers can now buy 16% more pork.

Price performance in the first nine months of 2026 was more contained. Pork accumulated an 18.1% increase, below beef's 20.5% and chicken's 27.5%. In September, the pork price index rose 1.3% month-on-month, compared with 0.9% for beef and 0.2% for chicken. Over the same month, the Indec's general Food and Beverages index advanced 2%.

Consumption and informality

Pigmeat consumption per inhabitant has already exceeded 25 kilograms per year when formal and informal sales are combined, according to consultant Juan Uccelli. He also stated that informality currently accounts for more than 22% of total slaughter, the highest level among the three main animal protein sectors.

• Fresh pork sales grew 13.4% year-on-year in September, their best historical performance for a month other than December.
• Processed pork sales fell 9.7% and completed seven consecutive months of declines.
• The gap between fresh pork and processed products reached 22.7 percentage points.
• Total sector sales increased 2% in September and 1.3% during the first nine months of the year.
• Pork is relatively more accessible than beef and chicken, although informal sales represent more than 22% of total slaughter.