How much mate is produced?

Yerba mate, whose scientific name is Ilex Paraguariensis, is a tree native to the Paraná Jungle, which in the wild can reach a height of between 12 and 16 meters. To facilitate their harvest, the plants are pruned up to twice a year to an average height of 2 meters.

In Argentina, we call mate the infusion that is prepared with its leaves, as well as the container from where it is drunk.

The yerba mate crops are located in Misiones and northeast of Corrientes. In 2021, the production of ground and packaged yerba mate for the domestic market was almost 282.85 million kilograms. Meanwhile, 35.50 million kilograms were exported the same year.

Our country is today the world’s leading producer and exporter of yerba mate. We are also the world’s number one consumer of mate. According to data from the National Institute of Yerba Mate (INYM), in Argentina an average of 6.4 kg is consumed per inhabitant per year and yerba mate is present in more than 90% of homes.

Have you tried mate yet?