They say beef prices jumped 68 percent in the first half of the year

The prices of the various cuts of beef showed on average significant increases of (+ 14.8%) in February 2019 compared to January. And compared to February 2018 values, the average price of beef in February of the current year was one (+ 68%) Above.

In this context, Damián Di Pace, head of consultancy firm Focus Market, pointed out that "agricultural prices had been below inflation in 2017/2018 and that this had led to a rebound in beef consumption which had risen very little. relative to the relative prices of beef and veal.

"In 2017, prices fell from 7% to 8% of its real value and in 2018 from 3% to 5%, but in the first two months of the year, it recovered almost 15% with evolution of 68% over one year, "he said.

He also added that it must be taken into account that "nearly 80% of meat production is destined for the domestic market which, in the face of these increases, is starting to look for substitutes for chicken or pork meat. ".

However, he pointed out that in the early days of March prices for the hamburger category, for example, had increased by 11% in February and by at least 111% in the supermarket gondola. request "In the frozen products category, this also complicates the situation of the entrepreneur in a month when the cost of refrigeration has increased due to the rise in the price of electricity, gasoline distribution and inputs because of changes in the exchange rate, "he added.

We must not lose sight of the fact that the price of fresh chicken showed prices with moderate increases, with a variation of (+ 6.6%) in the month of February 2019 compared to January, according to the l. IPCVA.

The entity added that the price of pork had risen moderately over the same period, rising by a price (+ 5.5%) over the previous month. And noted that with regard to the values ​​of February 2018, the chicken has increased its price of one (+ 58.9%) and that of a pig (+ 39.1%) .

Price by neighborhood and socio-economic level

The price of beef has risen significantly+ 16.6%), in February 2019, compared to January, in outlets serving neighborhoods with high socio-economic status, explained the institute.

Similarly, he indicated that, in outlets at the average socio-economic level, prices also showed large, albeit softer, increases as a result of (+ 12.9%) while among those who attend the socio-economic level, prices increased sharply, which led to an increase (+ 17.3%).

"The behavior of beef prices showed differences between different geographical areas: prices were recorded with significant increases in the northern and southern areas of Greater Buenos Aires, while in the federal capital and in the West Zone Greater Buenos Aires has seen significant increases in importance but a little more attenuated, "he said in his report.