Imports of consumer goods reached a historic record during the first half of 2026, in a scenario marked by greater trade openness and strong growth in external purchases across various sectors. Among the most notable cases are noodles and pasta, whose imports increased by more than 500% compared to 2023, and meats, which saw a jump of over 300%.
According to a report from the Argentine Center for Political Economy (CEPA), based on data from INDEC and ARCA, during the first six months of the year, consumer goods worth $5.362 billion entered the country, the highest amount recorded for a first semester since the series began.
Although the increase compared to 2025 was only 1.8%, the comparison takes on another dimension when extending the horizon: imports are 20.7% above the previous record for a first semester, recorded in 2018, when they reached $4.443 billion. In the last twelve months, external purchases of these products totaled $11.496 billion.
The growth also changed the composition of Argentine external purchases. Consumer goods accounted for 15.1% of total imports during the first half of the year, the highest share in the last 22 years.
Compared to the first half of 2023, imports of consumer goods increased by 34.7%, although the advance was very uneven among sectors.
The top ten activities concentrated 84.7% of the total imported, while five sectors alone accounted for 45.5%. The largest growth occurred in home appliances, batteries, and lamps, with an increase of 109.2% compared to 2023.
In second place were clothing items, with an increase of 86.3%, followed by motorcycles, bicycles, yachts, and other transport equipment (+67.6%); food products (+51.9%); and pharmaceuticals (+27%).
The surge in imports was also accompanied by an expansion in the number of companies purchasing finished products from abroad. According to records analyzed by CEPA, the number of importers doubled compared to 2023, with the addition of 33,108 companies.
The food sector shows some of the most pronounced increases in the entire survey. Food products represented 18% of total consumer goods imports, and their external purchases grew by 51.9% compared to the first half of 2023.
Within that universe, the surge was led by noodles and pasta, whose imports increased by 530.8%. In second place were fresh and canned meats, with an increase of 315.2%.
Significant increases were also recorded in oils and fats (+93.9%), bakery products (+90.1%), and chocolate and confectionery (+45.4%).
Thus, the growth of imports was not concentrated solely in goods traditionally associated with imported products, such as clothing or home appliances, but also reached food items with a wide local production.
The record of consumer goods occurred, moreover, in parallel to a different dynamic in imports directly related to production. Between the first half of 2023 and the same period in 2026, external purchases of intermediate goods decreased by 17.8%, while those of parts and accessories for capital goods fell by 21.6%. Together, both components recorded a contraction of 19.1%, compared to the 34.7% increase in consumer goods.
In the same period, manufacturing production fell by 12%, according to data from the Manufacturing Industrial Production Index (IPI) from INDEC used in the report.
The contrast is particularly marked in some sectors. While imports of home appliances, batteries, and lamps grew by 109.2%, national production of home appliances and IT recorded a decline of 56.1% compared to the first half of 2023. The production of electrical equipment and devices, for its part, decreased by 7.1%.
Thus, the first half of 2026 left a particular configuration of foreign trade: goods destined directly for consumption reached historic highs, with strong increases in sectors such as food, clothing, and home appliances, while imports of inputs and parts related to production remained below the levels recorded three years ago.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and doesn't constitute financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Any events, rewards, online promotions, or related information mentioned herein should not be considered a recommendation, solicitation, or invitation to purchase, sell, trade, or otherwise deal in any crypto assets. Crypto assets are highly volatile and may result in loss. The availability of WEEX services, products, and related events may vary by region. You are responsible for ensuring that your participation is in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.





























![[Alpha Analysis] Peter Thiel Allocates 72% of Portfolio to Energy... The Bottleneck of AI Investment Shifts](/public-static/7_ca1b7746d1.png?format=avif)