Argentina eyes Corn as Key to Industrial Growth, Pet Food Boom
Buenos Aires, Argentina – argentina is setting its sights on corn as a pivotal element in driving industrial expansion and boosting the national economy. During the “corn: The Clever Complex to Industrialize the Country” panel at the Maizar 2025 Congress, experts highlighted Corn’s Vast Potential, from fueling the pet nutrition sector to enhancing meat production and poultry farming.
The discussions underscored corn’s crucial role in job creation, supporting diverse industries, and fostering international competitiveness for Argentina.
Pet Food Industry drives Corn Demand Skyward
Magdalena Ferreira Lamas,General Manager at Mars South Latam,spotlighted the booming pet food market. surprisingly, Even Within A Giant Like Mars, the pet nutrition sector is experiencing unprecedented growth.
With 32 Million Pets In Argentina and 92 million across the Mars South Latam region, the demand for pet food is soaring. According to Ferreira Lamas, seven in ten people consider their pets family members, and four in ten rank their pets’ well-being as a top priority, equating their dietary needs to those of a newborn. This trend, Accelerated By The Pandemic, has significantly increased the demand for high-quality pet food where corn plays a vital nutritional role, particularly in protein content.
Mars projects its pet food division alone will require 950,000 tons of corn for dry food, canned products, and pet snacks.
Did You Know? The global pet food market is projected to reach $126.58 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.57% from 2024, according to Fortune Business Insights.
Enhancing meat Quality and Exports Via Corn
Enrique Duhau,President of Duhau SA,emphasized the importance of creating value,especially in the context of corn utilization for meat production.He advocated for open markets and free pricing to drive competitiveness, allowing Argentina to capitalize on its high-quality beef.
Argentine Meat, He Argued, surpasses Australian meat in quality, yet faces trade disadvantages due to Australia’s Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with major markets like China, the United States, and Japan. Argentina’s membership in Mercosur restricts its ability to independently negotiate FTAs, hindering its export potential.
Duhau highlighted a shift towards understanding and catering to consumer preferences in export markets. Today, There’s A Demand For Meat With Marbled Fat, achieved through high-energy corn-based diets. This consumer-centric approach has revolutionized their business.
Poultry Farming’s Corn-fueled Evolution
Roberto Domenech, President of the Center for Poultry Companies (CEPA), traced the development of Argentina’s poultry industry back to the 1960s when hybrid chickens were first imported. The availability of corn was a key factor,leading to Brazil becoming a major player in the global chicken market,initially relying on Argentine corn.
The poultry industry supports 75,000 jobs across 48 processing plants and 3,700 farms. domenech noted that Argentina exports 63% of its corn as grain, missing opportunities to add value domestically. The poultry sector consumes about 6 million tons of corn annually, a figure that could increase with greater domestic utilization.
Corn’s Energy Content enables faster chicken growth, reducing the time to reach market weight from 120-150 days to just 75 days. Domenech urged for public-private cooperation, lasting production practices, and supportive regulations to enhance the industry’s international competitiveness.
pro Tip: Public-private partnerships are crucial for infrastructure development, technology transfer, and market access, significantly boosting sector growth.
Arcor’s Integrated Corn Value Chain
Mariano Tamborini,General Manager of Arcor Agribusiness Area,detailed the company’s extensive involvement in the corn value chain,spanning mass consumption products,agribusiness,and packaging.
Arcor’s 40+ Plants Across Argentina enable efficient distribution and close proximity to raw materials and export markets. Their wet grinding plants process critically important volumes of corn daily, producing syrups and starches for various applications, including the pet food industry.
Arcor exports to over 100 countries, with pet food manufacturers becoming key clients for wet milling products. cornstarch is used in diverse products ranging from beverages and paper to personal care items and gluten-free foods.
Argentina’s Corn Industry: Key Facts
| Sector | Corn Usage | Economic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Nutrition | 950,000 tons (Mars projection) | Growing demand, increased exports |
| Meat Production | Significant (Duhau SA focuses on high-energy diets) | Enhanced meat quality, export opportunities |
| Poultry Farming | 6 million tons annually | 75,000 jobs, potential for expansion |
| Arcor (Mass Consumption) | Significant (Wet grinding plants processing tons daily) | Diverse product applications, exports to 100+ countries |
The Future of Corn in Argentina’s Economy
The discussions at the Maizar 2025 Congress highlight a clear path forward for Argentina: leveraging its corn production to drive industrial growth, enhance export competitiveness, and create jobs.
By focusing on value-added activities and addressing trade barriers, Argentina can fully realize the economic potential of its corn industry.
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