Economic Profile

The main activity in Mendoza is viticulture. It is the most important province for the production of Argentinean wine. Half of the agricultural exploitations in Mendoza correspond to this branch. This activity is carried out in Mendoza since 1598, and it was extremely favoured with the arrival of the railway in 1885. In 1887 the province already had 2000 hectares planted with vineyards.

The traditional Mendocinean economy – based on vines and olive trees, fruit, vegetables and derived products (must, wine, juice, canned food, etc.) – has been supplemented by the production of intermediate goods and the development of the metal-mechanical industry in the last few decades.

Oil, business, mining, livestock, and forest exploitation industries have also grown, along with tourism that has become increasingly relevant (the same can be said about Mendoza as it is now one of the preferred venues for congresses and conventions).

The Province of Mendoza features the necessary infrastructure for production – there are eight industrial areas-, finance, services, and receptive tourism. 70% of Argentina’s vineyards are located in Mendoza and 70% of the wine made in Argentina is produced in Mendoza, too. This makes Mendoza the main wine-making region in Argentina and South America.

There are more than 1,200 wineries in Mendoza. Some use traditional methods and others employ the latest technology to make wine and sparkling wine. Every year, the quality of these products is confirmed by international awards and the fact that more and more wine is being exported to Brazil, the United States, Chile, Japan, and the EU, among other markets.

Commercial activity takes place in shopping malls and hypermarkets were national and imported products are sold.

There is also a great variety of markets selling unique handcraft made using traditional techniques (leather plaiting, alpaca, llama, vicuña and sheep wool loom knitting, and basketry) as well as local hand-made products such as jam, canned food, spirits, and pickles.