In the framework of the first local edition of Mercado Libre Experience, the company announced a historic investment of US$2600 million in Argentina by 2025, with the aim of strengthening its operation in key areas such as logistics, marketing, and technology. Additionally, it plans to hire 2000 people, which will bring its workforce to 14,000 employees in the country.
"The investment represents a 53% increase compared to 2024," detailed Juan Martín de la Serna, president of Mercado Libre Argentina, who emphasized the firm's confidence in the growth potential of the local market.
The announced investment includes both capital goods and operating expenses, and aims to consolidate the company's regional presence and sustain an expansion pace that, in De la Serna's own words, "is accompanied by positive consumption signals."
Recovery of consumption and regional expansion
De la Serna highlighted that since June 2024, there has been a month-to-month recovery in consumption, reflected in the sales volume on the platform, which—according to the executive—acts as "a good thermometer" of the Argentine economic scenario.
Mercado Libre invertirá US$2600 millones en Argentina y sumará 2000 empleos en 2025
Meanwhile, the firm communicated that, over the last three years, it exported technological services worth more than US$2700 million, and that its credit portfolio tripled in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Global risks: Asian platforms and tariff war
The company also warned about possible impacts of the global trade war, especially regarding Asian platforms: "Luckily we're somewhat distanced from this trade war, but we don't rule out that if the Asian platforms that currently target the U.S. market change focus, they might turn to our region."
Mercado Libre invertirá US$2600 millones en Argentina y sumará 2000 empleos en 2025
Expansion in Brazil and Colombia
The investment in Argentina is part of an ambitious regional expansion plan. This same week, Mercado Libre confirmed investments of 5250 million dollars in Brazil by 2025.
Meanwhile, the company also confirmed an investment of US$470 million in Colombia, which was announced by Alan Meyer Frankfurt, vice president of Andean Countries, during the inauguration of the new corporate offices in Bogotá.
