Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / BUSINESS
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Business Contents:  Your Money | Economy Companies

12:44 GMT, Friday, 23 May 2008 13:44 UK

Argentine farm crisis ploughs on

Soya field in Argentina

Argentina could face more protests after talks to end a tax row broke down on Thursday.

Farm leaders met the government to try to end a three-month dispute over higher taxes on exports.

They are angry about new tariffs on soybeans, one of the country's biggest exports, being raised by up to 45%.

Producers claim they will be put out of business by the combination of higher taxes, transport costs and the rising cost of land.

Road blockades

In March, a three-week farmers strike over the soybean levy caused food shortages across the country. Farmers blocked roads, preventing trucks delivering produce to supermarkets in Buenos Aires and other major cities.

The protests also hit global supplies as Argentina is the world's third biggest soybean exporter.

Its annual harvest is estimated to be worth $24bn (£12bn), the bulk of which is exported. Last year, it earned $13bn from exports of the grain.

US soybean futures rose 1% on Friday because traders are worried the ongoing dispute will threaten supplies from one of the world's most important exporters.

"The attitude is to put off an answer"
Eduardo Buzzi
Argentine Agrarian Federation


Farm groups involved in Thursday's talks said the government refused to discuss their demand to suspend the new tax.

"The meeting was bad. The attitude is to put off an answer," said Eduardo Buzzi, head of the Argentine Agrarian Federation.

Cabinet chief Alberto Fernandez said: "We will work to find a solution."

Grain grief

The row has dragged on for three months and has been a major test for President Christine Kirchner and her government. The economy minister, Martin Lousteau, lost his job over the crisis.

Although Mrs Kirchner has announced rebates for small and medium-sized farmers, she has refused to budge on her policy of a sliding-scale tax on exports.

She said it would boost state revenues at a time when world commodity prices are high, secure domestic supplies and redistribute wealth among its citizens.

Farmers are planning a rally over agricultural policy in the city of Rosario on 25 May to coincide with the Revolution Day public holiday.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
Argentina faces new farm protests (08 May 08 |  Americas )
Argentine farmers continue strike (01 Apr 08 |  Americas )
Argentine farm tax crisis worsens (27 Mar 08 |  Americas )
Q&A: Argentina farm protests (01 Apr 08 |  Business )
Why are wheat prices rising? (26 Feb 08 |  Business )
Argentina's divisions clear to see (26 Oct 07 |  Americas )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Argentina presidency (in Spanish)
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Business Contents:  Your Money | Economy Companies

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©