Buenos Aires, March 30 (NA) -- 82% of cattle farmers surveyed by CREA stated that they will invest in fields or breeding stock, as they consider this a great moment: they are earning 59% more in calf production than a year ago, and 77% in the complete cycle, with a price per kilogram of veal that is 51% higher in a year and up to $833,000 per hectare in feedlots. Livestock values are at historical highs in real terms, 75% above the average, according to CREA Content data accessed by the Argentine News Agency. Thanks to the livestock sector, the integrated investment expectations index returned to positive territory for the first time since 2022. 58% of the surveyed cattle farmers have favorable expectations for the business result for the next year. 43% of the CREA livestock groups perceive the current forage production as good, especially those located in the northern Pampas region and northern Argentina. The first calf production indicators show that weaning is on schedule, and in general, CREA groups expect a larger number of weaned calves. The exception is Patagonia, where a decrease is projected. The average percentage of heads in pasture rearing in CREA companies is 85%, with the highest levels recorded in the Northern Litoral (97%), Northern Buenos Aires (96%), Southwest, and Patagonia (93%) regions. On the other hand, the average percentage of heads in feedlot rearing in the CREA network is 15%. Bad milk Regarding the dairy sector, 45% of those surveyed consider that the current moment is bad for making investments, while in the agricultural sector, no defined trend is evident due to the high contrast of situations between the different productive regions. Dairy farmers in the CREA network expect to continue registering an increase in milk production in the coming year with levels similar to those obtained in the last fiscal year. As for corn—both harvested and that expected to be harvested based on the crop's condition—there are marked regional gaps between what was budgeted and what was actually produced or is expected to be produced, although at the national level, production is expected to be close to 60 million tons (in line with the initial estimates). A similar situation is recorded with soybeans and sunflowers. Livestock euphoria 76% of cattle farmers identify growth opportunities for their company, configuring one of the highest levels of optimism within the sector, which in itself is an encouraging data, although in a broader context of economic activity, together with mining and financial intermediation, the three represent 9.2% of registered employment. The largest job losses during the Javier Milei government occurred in the three most job-generating sectors, such as construction, manufacturing, and commerce, which explain 44.7% of employment. In any case, it is commendable that the Business Confidence Index in Agribusiness (ICEA), which arises from the SEA CREA Survey, carried out between February 26 and March 9, 2026, reached 70 points in March 2026, representing an increase of 4.5% compared to Nov-25, and 7.7% compared to Mar-25. In this way, the indicator is positioned above its historical average (48) and at one of the highest levels in the series.
