Yerba Mate Sales Plummet in Argentina Due to Recession, Concerns Entire Production Chain

The domestic market for yerba mate experienced a sharp decline after several months of growth, primarily due to the recession. In March, there was a significant decrease in the amount of yerba mate shipped from mills compared to the previous year, indicating a contraction of almost 30 percent. Last month, 18,792,347 kilos of yerba mate were sold for consumption in Argentina, a figure not seen since February 2020 according to data from the National Yerba Mate Institute (INYM).

The decline in sales is attributed to the loss of purchasing power among lower-income families who often rely on mate as a meal replacement. Large commercial chains stocking up on yerba mate at the end of last year in anticipation of price hikes also contributed to the decrease in consumption. This situation concerns the entire production chain as decreased consumption may lead to a drop in product value on the market, impacting the primary sector.

Despite these challenges in the domestic market, exports for yerba mate remain strong, with an increase in shipments in the first three months of the year compared to