Argentina’s Second-Tier Brands Grow 22% as Food Buying Changes

Argentina’s food market includes leading national brands, regional labels, supermarket products and different formulations within the same category. This variety is especially apparent in frequently purchased dairy products such as milk, yoghurt and cheese.

A less expensive brand is not automatically a lower-quality or unsafe option. Alejandra Celi, director of the School of Nutrition at the National University of Córdoba, said that products sold legally must comply with the relevant regulations. Differences may instead arise in the recipe or the proportions of individual ingredients.

Celi cited fruit yoghurt as an example. A cheaper product may contain a different quantity of fruit or other components, which can alter its nutritional composition. She advised consumers to examine product labels rather than making their choice solely on the basis of the brand name.

Argentina’s dietary guidelines recommend daily consumption of milk, yoghurt or cheese as part of a varied diet. Products within those categories are not necessarily equivalent: plain yoghurt, a dairy dessert and yoghurt containing sugar, fruit or other added ingredients can have different compositions. Official Argentine classifications also distinguish foods by their processing level and ingredients.

The change in purchasing habits is taking place as household buying power affects food choices. Celi said food security concerns not only the physical availability of food but also the economic ability to obtain an adequate diet. Families may respond by switching products, using promotions, selecting supermarket-owned brands or altering their consumption patterns.

The interview also referred to the Czekalinski Project, an academic proposal that questions whether Argentina’s Basic Food Basket is sufficient for assessing nutritional needs. It proposes incorporating the national dietary guidelines into a broader measure. The proposal has not been adopted as part of the country’s official measurement.

For dairy companies, the growth of alternative brands increases competition across price levels and product propositions. Purchase decisions may depend on promotions, package size, composition and unit price, alongside brand loyalty. The reported 22% increase describes consumers continuing to buy food while comparing more options and changing brands to manage household budgets.