By Özgür Yücel Demir and Carlos Brown
A few days ago, in an article published by several media outlets, we celebrated the news
that Argentine cattle producers were preparing for their first live cattle export following the
repeal of the old Decree No. 322 of 1973. The measure, promoted by the current Argentine
government to deregulate trade and encourage the free movement of goods, opened up an
immense opportunity in a highly relevant market such as Türkiye — the world’s
second-largest live cattle importer.
However, the path is not yet clear. To consolidate this commercial flow, a series of technical
and sanitary obstacles still need to be urgently resolved to ensure that the opportunity does
not fade away.
The main and most complex obstacle lies in Argentina’s sanitary status regarding
foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH)
recognizes Argentina as FMD-free but with two differentiated zones: Patagonia, which is
free without vaccination, and the rest of the territory (central-northern regions), which is free
with vaccination. The problem arises because 97% of Argentina’s cattle herd is located in
the vaccinated area, while Türkiye has historically been very strict and has imposed
restrictions on imports from regions with this status. This is no minor issue, since Patagonian
producers — who are in the non-vaccinated zone — mainly supply the domestic market and
show little interest in exports.
Meanwhile, Türkiye has tightened its sanitary legislation since 2011, aligning it with
European regulations. This implies more demanding conditions for imports from Argentina
compared to other countries with preexisting agreements, such as Uruguay and Brazil.
In addition to the sanitary challenge, there are several technical and bureaucratic barriers.
First and foremost, to export, it is essential to have a bilaterally agreed International
Veterinary Certificate (IVC), which currently does not exist between Argentina and Türkiye
for live cattle. Without this document — which must include all sanitary requirements of the
destination country — no operation is possible.
Another significant requirement is traceability. Turkish authorities consider it a deficiency
that Argentine cattle are identified by herd and not individually. Türkiye demands the
individual marking of each animal, and although Argentina plans to begin electronic
individual identification in 2026, this gap remains a barrier that must be addressed.
Finally, the Turkish market itself has a particular commercial dynamic. Although demand is
huge and driven by cultural and religious factors linked to Halal meat, imports are
managed through quotas and tariffs. For 2024, an import quota of 600,000 head of cattle
for fattening was established, managed centrally by the Meat and Milk Board (ESK), a
state entity. This means that Turkish producers do not directly choose the animals; rather,
ESK selects and distributes them, often prioritizing lower-cost sources such as Brazil and
Uruguay.
While Argentina faces these challenges, its neighbors are already consolidated players in
this market. Uruguay, which has exported live cattle since 2010, counts Türkiye as its main
destination and competes with high-quality genetics that justify its prices. Brazil, meanwhile,
has doubled its exports and is positioning itself as a key player.
We are aware that both Argentine and Turkish sanitary authorities are working to overcome
these barriers. Likewise, from the Argentine-Turkish Chamber of Commerce, we are
supporting this effort by holding meetings with Argentine producers and Turkish importers,
creating the necessary links for both countries to move past these obstacles.
The prospect of enabling live cattle trade from all regions of Argentina is a feasible scenario
in the short and medium term. We are convinced that Argentina can compete and establish
itself as a reliable supplier for Türkiye. Resolving sanitary protocols, defining the IVC, and
reaching an agreement on traceability are essential steps to transform initial optimism into
a concrete and mutually beneficial trade flow between both nations.
The authors are President and Secretary General, respectively, of the Argentine-Turkish
Chamber of Commerce.

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