The sale of yerba mate in the domestic market has experienced a significant decline after several months of growth, mainly due to the recession. In March, there was a substantial 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 drop 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 is concerning for the entire production chain as decreased consumption may lead to a drop in product value on the market and impacting primary sector farmers.
Despite challenges in the domestic market, exports for yerba mate remain strong with an increase in shipments during the first three months compared to