Argentina stands out among the countries of Latin America for its relatively high level of agriculture, a diverse structure of agricultural production and its relatively small share in the value of GDP (12%). Argentina's agriculture almost completely satisfies its own food needs, but also is one of its leading exporters. Agricultural lands occupy 138 million hectares in the country, but only one fifth of them are cultivated. The remaining areas are occupied by meadows and pastures.
Long-term cultivation of the same crops on the same lands has led to soil productivity decreasing, pasture conditions deteriorating and erosion developing - the most disastrous phenomenon for the soil. In some areas of Argentina, erosion has already developed so much that part of the land is simply taken out of agricultural circulation. Such phenomena lead to a massive outflow from these places of the agricultural population. The main characteristic of the country's agriculture is specialization in the commodity production of grain and meat. This happened both under the influence of the external market and in accordance with the natural environment that created all the prerequisites for the development of these industries.
The leading role in the country's agriculture is played by livestock. Its main industry is raising and raising cattle, mainly meat. Argentina is one of the first places in the world in the number of cattle. For cattle, the main area is Pampa. Pampa's natural pastures create an excellent fodder base for him. Due to the mild and humid climate, grasses on the local pastures are characterized by a high content of basic nutrients. Also in this area are concentrated and the main crops of forage grasses, the main of which is alfalfa.
Labor productivity in Argentina's agriculture is low, especially in dairy production. Therefore, dairy farming does not play a big role here. Several areas of dairy farming have developed only around Buenos Aires and in the south of the province of Santa Fe, as good and succulent feeds grow here. Argentinean agriculture also specializes in sheep farming, which is the second largest industry. This is one of the leading sheep-breeding countries in terms of the number of sheep, and Argentina is second only to Australia and New Zealand for shearing wool. Sheep breeding is almost universal, but its specialized areas are concentrated in Pampa and Patagonia.
Agriculture in Argentina also plays a significant role in crop production. The main place here is occupied by traditional old crops for export - cereals and oilseeds. Of the crops, wheat occupies the main place, although Argentina is significantly inferior to countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia and France in its exports. Mostly wheat is cultivated in the same Pampa, and outside it is less common. Unlike wheat, which the Spaniards brought to this country, corn is a local crop and it is grown almost everywhere.
Argentina's agriculture grows corn both as a food crop and as fodder corn. Of great importance in the country are the cultivation of other crops: oats, barley and rye. Thanks to all this, Argentina is a major exporter of feed grain. After crops, industrial crops are in second place in terms of cost of production . Among these crops, oilseeds - sunflower and flax - stand out. In the export of these crops, Argentina occupies the most advanced places in the world.