Argentina’s organic and sustainable food market has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from just 273 hectares of certified organic vineyards in 2005 to over 10,650 hectares by 2022, representing the largest certified organic vineyard area in the country’s history. The overall organic food market reached USD 1.61 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 4.14 billion by 2033, driven by increasing consumer consciousness about health, environmental sustainability, and quality ingredients. For discerning travelers and gourmet enthusiasts, Argentina offers exceptional premium organic brands representing centuries of agricultural tradition combined with contemporary sustainability practices.
Flagship Organic Producers
Argentibio – Argentina’s Organic Garlic Pioneer
Argentibio consolidated itself as Argentina’s number one producer and exporter of organic products, with organic garlic as its flagship export commanding premium market positioning for highest-quality certification. Founded by brothers Gabriel and Gustavo in Mendoza’s Uco Valley at the feet of the Andes, the company transformed a traditional farm into a model of sustainable organic production exclusively dedicated to organic vegetables and fruits.
The operation encompasses on-site processing, packaging, and consolidation of most products, ensuring freshness and quality from field to final destination. Beyond garlic, Argentibio produces organic cane sugar (marketed as Mascaba organic syrup), fruits, and vegetables for export to Europe, the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, and Australia. The company’s advantage lies in Argentina’s out-of-season positioning relative to the Northern Hemisphere, allowing fresh produce supply when competing markets lack availability.
Puente Blanco S.A. – Biodynamic and Organic Heritage
Puente Blanco operates as one of Argentina’s oldest and leading garlic growers, located in Mendoza province across 800 hectares distributed among four farms. The family-owned company exports approximately 200,000-300,000 ten-kilogram boxes per season to Europe, the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, and Australia.
In 2005, recognizing sustainability’s importance, Puente Blanco transitioned garlic production to organic and biodynamic agriculture methods. The company employs approximately 250 people during harvest season and practices crop rotation across cultivated hectares to maintain soil productivity and environmental stewardship. International certifications ensure compliance with customer requirements, while the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture makes it a trusted source for premium organic garlic with verifiable environmental stewardship credentials.
Organic Latin America S.A. – Gluten-Free Specialty Innovators
Operating from Buenos Aires since 2010, Organic Latin America S.A. specializes in diverse organic products including gluten-free organic flours and flavored cookies. The company emphasizes high international quality standards and innovative practices in organic food development, catering to both domestic Argentine markets and specialized international demand for certified organic gluten-free products.
Neofarms – Rice and Pulse Specialists
Based in Concordia, Neofarms operates as a dedicated organic food producer specializing in organic rice products, organic flaxseeds, and various other crops. Established in 2008, the company demonstrates commitment to food safety and sustainable agricultural practices ensuring high-quality, traceable organic products meeting both domestic and export market demands.
Artisanal Cheese and Dairy Excellence
Ventimiglia – Patagonian Artisanal Cheese Pioneers
Ventimiglia represents perhaps Argentina’s most celebrated artisanal cheese producer, spearheading the artisanal cheese movement in Patagonia through family-run operations in Cipolletti and Neuquén led by the Couly brothers—Mauricio, Darío, and Edgard. The enterprise began in 2009 and has expanded to encompass 150 goats, 80 sheep, and 50 cows on their farm in Cuatro Esquinas.
The brothers crafted award-winning products catering to high-end restaurants throughout Argentina through experimentation driven by gastronomic backgrounds and desire to produce gourmet cheeses matching European standards. Despite their non-traditional dairy region location, they established a premium niche focusing on quality and intricate flavor profiles reflecting local terroir.
Signature offerings include Patagonzola, a distinctive blue cheese crafted from 70% jersey cow’s milk and 30% sheep’s milk, offering unique and creamy flavor suitable for cheese boards or gourmet dishes. The cheese features distinctive Patagonian character with pronounced intensity. The cheeses appear in their Neuquén restaurant, La Toscana, and are distributed nationwide, providing Patagonian gastronomic experiences to food enthusiasts throughout Argentina.
Santa Águeda Dairy – Sheep Cheese Pioneers
Santa Águeda operates as Argentina’s first registered dairy producing sheep cheeses, pioneered by Eduardo Zurro and Ana Rodríguez who brought Frisian sheep from Germany in the early 1990s. After three decades working to boost artisanal cheese production, Eduardo and Ana have become reference points for shepherd’s cheese makers throughout Latin America.
The couple founded the Latin American Association of Artisan Dairies (ALQA, Asociación Latinoamericana de Queserías Artesanales) to defend and value artisan dairies within markets dominated by industrial cheese production. ALQA encompasses 37 producer partners across seven Latin American countries producing diverse cheese varieties from cow’s, sheep’s, goat’s, and buffalo’s milk.
Premium Olive Oil Heritage
Olivícola Laur and Acetaia Millán – Mendoza Heritage Groves
Located in Maipú just 20 minutes from Mendoza’s capital, Olivícola Laur and Acetaia Millán produce premium olive oil and artisanal balsamic vinegar from heritage olive groves. Argentine olive oil from these producers ranks third in the AOVE (Association of Olive Oil Excellence) Global Ranking of the best 100 olive oils worldwide—a remarkable distinction for South American producers.
The distinctiveness of Mendoza olive oil parallels Malbec wine’s reputation, reflecting terroir and altitude. Gabriel Guardia, General Manager and oenologist specialized in olive oil, articulates the region’s unique character.
Gran Laur Olive Oil – Hand-Harvested Premium Reserve
Gran Laur represents a premium offering from the Cruz de Piedra estate, where olive groves exceed 80 years old, cultivated in traditional tall-crowned plant distribution requiring hand harvesting exclusively. The estate remains in transition to organic certification after several years cultivation without pesticides, insecticides, or synthetic fertilizers—respecting traditional and natural crop methods.
The best Arauco olives are selected at early ripeness stages to achieve premium olive oil with acidity less than 0.19% and pronounced organoleptic values. This limited-production oil is marketed directly to olive oil connoisseurs and represents Argentina’s first offering of this exclusive reserve presentation.
Bodega Lagarde Olive Oil – Tuscan Method Purity
Bodega Lagarde produces olive oils from fruit grown in ancient olive groves flanked by old vineyards on their estate in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. The winery processes olives using the Tuscan Method—continuous and exclusively mechanical—ensuring highest possible purity. The resulting blend from different estate varieties achieves intense perfume and precise equilibrium where fruity olive notes mingle with tomato and ripe banana characteristics. The oil pairs perfectly with white meats, vegetables, sweet cheese, and green salads, making it ideal for high-end culinary applications.
Novello Zuelo (Familia Zuccardi) – Fresh-Pressed Excellence
Familia Zuccardi’s Novello Zuelo represents jewels in their premium olive oil portfolio, reaching tables in season at peak freshness, aroma, and flavor expression. The crop comprises Arbosana, Frantoio, and Arauco varieties—typical and traditional Mendoza selections—harvested from Maipú and Cañada Honda farms between April and May.
Aromatic profiles feature green tomato, grass, arugula, green apple, almonds, and olive leaf notes with outstanding intensity in the mouth—very balanced fruity character with persistent bitter and spicy dimensions. The Zuccardi olive oil line characterizes itself through extra-virgin and unfiltered presentation available at the Uco Valley farm, major Buenos Aires shops, gastronomic establishments, and online stores shipping nationwide.
Sustainable and Organic Wine
VinoDinámicos – Collaborative Organic Viticulture Movement
VinoDinámicos, a non-profit alliance formed in 2018 by 10 producers in Mendoza, promotes and supports sustainable viticulture across Argentina. The movement has catalyzed remarkable growth: by 2022, over 75 Argentine wineries achieved organic certification covering 161 vineyards encompassing over 6,000 hectares. An additional 523 hectares received Demeter biodynamic certification across 13 viticultural establishments—representing 60% growth in just five years.
VinoDinámicos shares research on nutrient balance, compost production, sulphite management, and microbial correlations with climatic variables. The organization collaborates on Argentina’s Sustainability Forum and researches sustainable control of the leaf-cutter ant—a unique Americasn pest capable of destroying vines completely.
Escorihuela Gascón – Organic Vineyard Line Pioneer
Escorihuela Gascón pioneered biodynamic viticulture in Argentina at Ernesto Catena’s initiative over 15 years ago. In 2015, the winery launched its Organic Vineyard line with organic and biodynamic certification from 70 hectares in El Cepillo (Uco Valley). An additional 150 hectares are currently undergoing conversion, reflecting the winery’s commitment to biodynamic viticulture as the preferred vineyard management approach moving forward.
Chakana Wines – Biodynamic Terroir Expression
Under Leonardo Devia’s oenology leadership, Chakana Wines produces biodynamic wines emphasizing local contextual techniques. The approach considers ecosystem, place, people, and animals as variable factors affecting wine quality and terroir expression. While biodynamics represents history’s oldest farming method, its contemporary expression remains dynamic and complex, requiring endless fine-tuning to achieve optimal results.
Biodynamic Wine Growth Trajectory
Argentina’s biodynamic wine movement expanded substantially since the country’s first Demeter certification in 2008. Currently, 13 wineries hold Demeter biodynamic certification covering approximately 500 hectares at diverse altitudes and climates—from Salta’s northern regions through Patagonia’s southern reaches. While 500 hectares appears modest versus Argentina’s 200,000 total hectares under vine, the 60% five-year growth rate demonstrates accelerating momentum with numerous wineries in certification processes or applying methods without formal certification requirements.
Artisanal Honey and Sweet Products
Maitre Affineur – Organic Delta Honey
Maitre Affineur sources 100% organic creamy honey from the Paraná Delta islands, highlighting commitment to high-quality products. This unique environment produces premium honey exported to the world’s most demanding markets, representing Argentina’s honey excellence.
Honey & Sauces Aleluya – Tandil Heritage Producer
Since 1987, Honey & Sauces Aleluya manufactures 100% natural honey carefully sourced and packaged in Tandil, Argentina, maintaining strong international presence while emphasizing quality and sustainability in honey production processes.
Argentine Organic Honey Excellence
Argentina positions itself as a leading honey producer and processor globally, with organic honey representing a critical export segment. The country was the first in South America to achieve third-country parity for EU exports, fulfilling all applicable requirements and regulations. This recognition allows Argentine honey producers to sell into the EU with direct destination country acknowledgment—a major competitive advantage for premium producers.
Dulce de Leche Premium Brands
While industrial options abound, premium dulce de leche brands worth seeking include Havanna (famous for traditional Argentine alfajores filled with dulce de leche), San Ignacio (classic Argentine brand with smooth texture), La Salamandra (premium brand offering high-quality dulce de leche), and Che (rising favorite among dulce de leche enthusiasts).
Natural and Gourmet Specialty Products
Pampagourmet – Natural Pampa Heritage
Pampagourmet manufactures gourmet food products from 100% natural raw materials, highlighting commitment to organic and environmentally sustainable production practices. Founded by Guillermo Frusto with passion for natural ingredients and quality, Pampagourmet began as a small productive entrepreneurship in the Pampa plains.
The company’s product line—expanded beyond initial natural honey production—emphasizes raw material quality and manufacturing process care. Current offerings span organic sauces, seasonings, organic mayonnaise (290g), organic chickpea hummus (180g), organic tomato puree (910ml), and apricot juice infused with rosemary and apple vinegar (500ml). Products feature Teriyaki sauce with soy, ginger and wine (285ml) and organic chimichurri (175g), all reflecting the philosophy of respecting the environment while maintaining premium quality standards.
Biogreen – Certified B Corporation Sustainable Products
Biogreen has operated since 1994 as a B Certified Company dedicated to high-quality, biodegradable cleaning products promoting social responsibility. While primarily known for cleaning products, Biogreen embodies sustainability principles applicable across food-adjacent sectors. The company achieved a B Impact score of 80.3, significantly exceeding the 50.9 median for ordinary businesses.
Biogreen’s commitment includes concentrated, biodegradable products protecting water biodiversity, refill formats minimizing waste, recyclable PET and HDPE packaging, safe effective ingredients with strict no animal testing policies, and compostable bags breaking down in 90-180 days. This comprehensive sustainability approach demonstrates Argentine commitment to environmental stewardship across multiple industries.
Regional Heritage Food Traditions
Salta Empanada Tradition – Northern Specialties
Northern Argentina celebrates regional empanada varieties developed through indigenous, Spanish, and local influence centuries. Salteña empanadas originate from Salta featuring homemade dough with juicy beef filling including potatoes, green onions, cumin, and paprika from Valles Calchaquíes—typically costing approximately 1,000 ARS ($1 USD) each, representing definitive Salta culinary experience.
Patagonian Lamb and Regional Specialties
Patagonia’s cuisine emphasizes lamb as a cornerstone product, with regional chefs creating lamb ravoli, lamb-based dishes showcasing local terroir. Fresh trout, mushroom sorrentinos, and seafood preparations reflect proximity to pristine water sources. Patagonian gastronomy combines heterogeneous cultural influences—European traditions, indigenous heritage, and contemporary innovation—creating distinctive regional identity expressed through each dish.
Sustainability Certifications and Market Positioning
B Corporation and Certification Standards
Argentine organic producers increasingly pursue international certifications ensuring transparency and credibility. B Corporation designation reflects commitment to environmental, social, and economic impact assessment. International organic certifications (EU parity, Demeter biodynamic certification) provide verification for consumers prioritizing authenticity and sustainability verification beyond marketing claims.
Where to Purchase and Sourcing
Premium brands are available through multiple channels: direct farm purchases (particularly Mendoza wineries and olive oil producers), specialty organic stores (Biotienda) in Buenos Aires, supermarkets throughout urban centers, and international online retailers shipping Argentine products globally.
Value Proposition and Pricing
Argentina’s organic premium brands offer exceptional value compared to equivalent European and North American organic products. Organic garlic from Argentibio or Puente Blanco costs substantially less than comparable imports while maintaining superior quality verification. Artisanal Patagonian cheese from Ventimiglia commands premium pricing reflecting terroir and craftsmanship but remains competitive with equivalent European offerings. Biodynamic wines from certified producers represent investment-quality bottles competing favorably with established Burgundy and Bordeaux alternatives at significantly lower price points.
Recommendations for Gourmet Travelers
For quality-conscious visitors and travelers, prioritize: Argentibio organic garlic for take-home gifts (internationally exportable and representative of Argentine organic excellence); Ventimiglia Patagonzola cheese for extraordinary artisanal dairy; premium olive oils from Mendoza producers (particularly Gran Laur and Novello Zuelo) for culinary applications; Escorihuela Gascón or Chakana biodynamic wines for sustainability-focused wine collecting; and Pampagourmet products for natural condiment sourcing reflecting Argentine Pampa heritage.
These premium organic and sustainable brands represent Argentina’s commitment to agricultural excellence, environmental stewardship, and quality-first production philosophy—providing food travelers with authentic, verifiable products embodying both tradition and contemporary sustainability values.