Surprise in rankings: Big yerba brands join export boom

Argentina's yerba mate exports are experiencing a significant boom, consolidating as a growing sector following the national government's deregulation of prices after more than two decades of official controls. Data from July indicates sustained growth in international sales, with a notable shift: major domestic brands are increasingly focusing on a business they once considered marginal.

Companies such as Las Marías (Taragüí), Playadito, Rosamonte, CBSé, and Verdeflor have boosted their shipments. They join La Cachuera and Piporé, long-standing leaders in the export market alongside Grupo Kabour. Playadito, the domestic market leader, and Las Marías, a historical frontrunner, are expanding their international presence. Playadito exports exclusively in packaged form, while Las Marías has embraced the traditional bulk export model, shipping yerba mate in large 50 or 100-kilo bags.

Las Marías has become a significant player in the export ranking, now holding the third position. The company accounts for 15% of total export sales, similar to Piporé, but with higher value. Grupo Kabour, a Syrian-origin firm with industrial facilities in Andresito, Misiones, leads exports with 31% of shipments, followed by La Cachuera, producer of the Amanda brand, which was previously second.

Exports in the first seven months of this year increased by 4% compared to the same period in 2025. This trend suggests that 2026 will mark the third consecutive year of record-breaking sales, provided the current pace continues. In 2024, the first year under deregulation, a historic record of 43.8 million kilos was set. This figure rose to 58 million kilos in 2025, and this year is expected to surpass that mark again. As of July, exports totaled 32,113,000 kilos, a 4% increase from the 30,850,626 kilos exported in the same period of 2025.