Xinhua News Agency Buenos Aires, May 18, Communication | Turn to the opportunity-filled Chinese market—— Argentine ranch promoted diversification of exports to cope with the impact of US tariffs

Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Duo Meng Dingbo

On May 14, staff drove a feeder to feed at the Leindiana Ranch in Pampas grassland in Argentina. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

In May, late autumn in the southern hemisphere is approaching, and cattle are strolling in the vast Pampas grassland foraging. "Pampas" originated from Indian Quechua, meaning "a prairie without trees". Here is full of sunshine, lush grass, and developed animal husbandry, making it home to large-scale Argentina ranches.

For a long time, in addition to meeting domestic consumption, Argentine beef has been mainly sold to Europe and the United States. But recently, in the face of pressure on US tariff policies and the huge potential of the Chinese market, some Argentine ranch companies have begun to turn their attention to China on the other side of the ocean.

The reporter recently came to the Reindiana Ranch in the heart of the Pampas Grassland, a pastoral enterprise with a history of nearly a hundred years. It focuses on breeding Angus cattle on more than 6,000 hectares of ranch. The reporter saw more than a hundred Angus cows in the cow pen resting. When someone approached, the cattle herd was frightened and suddenly ran away, emitting bursts of dust. When the feeding truck came, the cattle herd would gather near the feeding trough to wait for food.

On May 14, staff drove a feeder to feed at the Leindiana Ranch in Pampas Grassland, Argentina. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

At the other end of the ranch, a large group of Angus cattle were free to stock on the grassland, and several Gao Qiao people rode their horses to guide the cattle from one grassland to another. Nico Binente, who has worked in the ranch for nearly 20 years, told reporters that they still insist on grazing with horses rather than modern tools such as motorcycles, "because cattle are more likely to accept horses, and grazing with horses also helps protect the grassland." "In the 1920s, my grandfather came to Argentina from Italy and began to operate farms and agriculture." Essekiel Nelvi, chairman of the Ranch of Reindiana, told reporters that after nearly a hundred years of development, the company has now basically covered the entire industrial chain including feed cultivation, gene breeding, feeding, beef processing and export.

This is the feed taken on May 14 at the Leindiana Ranch in Pampas Grassland, Argentina. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

"For the Europeans at that time, Argentina was a land full of opportunities." Nelvey said, "Today we believe that China is nurturing huge opportunities. China has a vast territory and a huge demand for high-quality beef. The Chinese market will usher in a new era for Argentina's agriculture and animal husbandry."

According to Nelvey, they launched a plan to enter the Chinese market in early 2024 and are full of confidence in the market prospects. "China and Argentina have completely different cultures, and we need to understand and accept each other's thinking and market operation model. Throughout 2024, we have learned a lot from the Chinese market, and we are more confident this year."

From May 19th to 21st, Reindiana Ranch will go to China to attend the 2025 Seattle International Food and Beverage Exhibition (Shanghai). “We have customized high-end beef products for Chinese consumers, which will be shipped directly from the farm to the dining table in Shanghai,” Nelvey said.

On May 14, herders rode their horses through the cattle pens of the Leindiana Ranch in the Pampas grassland in Argentina. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

On May 14, Essechier Nelvi observed the wind direction at the Reindiana Ranch in Pampas grassland in Argentina. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

This is the Reindiana Ranch (drone photo) taken on the Pampas Grassland in Argentina on May 14. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

This is angus cattle (drone photo) taken at the Leindiana Ranch in Pampas Grassland, Argentina on May 14. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

This is angus cattle taken on May 14 at the Reindiana Ranch in Pampas Grassland, Argentina. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

This is the Reindiana Ranch (drone photo) taken on the Pampas Grassland in Argentina on May 14. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

This is the Reindiana Ranch (drone photo) taken on the Pampas Grassland in Argentina on May 14. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo

On May 14, a cattle ran at the Leindiana Ranch in Pampas Grassland, Argentina (drone photo). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Meng Dingbo