Chile: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Chile

The Chilean beef market surged to $X in 2021, with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Beef Production in Chile

In value terms, beef production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2021, the average beef yield in Chile reached X kg per head, remaining relatively unchanged against the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the yield increased by 5.9% against the previous year. The beef yield peaked at X kg per head in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the yield stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The number of animals slaughtered for beef production in Chile shrank to X heads in 2021, which is down by -6.8% against 2020. Overall, the number of producing animals, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Beef Exports

Exports from Chile

In 2021, shipments abroad of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -27% to X tons for the first time since 2013, thus ending a seven-year rising trend. Overall, exports, however, showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 184%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, beef exports reduced markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 120% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for beef exports from Chile, with a 87% share of total exports. Moreover, beef exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Canada (X tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by South Korea (X tons), with a 2.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to China stood at +126.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Canada (+52.5% per year) and South Korea (+1.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for beef (cattle meat) exports from Chile, comprising 83% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($X), with a 4.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Colombia, with a 1.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to China totaled +123.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Canada (+50.2% per year) and Colombia (+79.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a abrupt decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 20%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Beef Imports

Imports into Chile

In 2021, beef imports into Chile skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 40% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports posted a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 60%. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, beef imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +109.9% against 2015 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Paraguay (X tons), Brazil (X tons) and Argentina (X tons) were the main suppliers of beef imports to Chile, with a combined 93% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Colombia, the United States and Uruguay, which together accounted for a further 6.7%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Colombia (with a CAGR of +208.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Paraguay ($X), Brazil ($X) and Argentina ($X) were the largest beef suppliers to Chile, with a combined 90% share of total imports. The United States, Colombia and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.9%.

Colombia, with a CAGR of +218.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average beef import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 12% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Paraguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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