Reduced availability of products, increasing population size and higher prices are to blame.

The Chamber of Meat Trade and Meat Products (CICCRA) says that the consumption of beef fell 6.7 per cent over the last year. The lowest recorded levels of meat beef consumption occurred in 1920, at 47 kg per capita.

On the other hand, sales of poultry and pork products have increased. This is likely due to it being more price competitive rather than changes in consumer eating habits. Beef prices have increased by 130 per cent in the last year.

President of the Poultry Processing Companies (CEPA), Roberto Domenech said that in 2011 the consumption of poultry meat increased to 40 kg per capita, a 1.5 kg increase.

CIICRA reports that the consumption of pork products increased 9.2 per cent over the last two years.

Butchers and traders are saying that whilst they have seen slight increases in the sales of poultry and pork, these increases do not match the drop in beef consumption.

Economists from the Institute of Economic Studies of Rural Argentina said that between 2009 and 2011 prices rose by 80 per cent, whilst consumption fell 14 per cent.

Price increases can be put down to increased global beef prices, but also a decrease in the number of animals slaughtered last year.