Government removes maize-export cap, says it will ‘monitor supplies’

The government has reversed its decision to set a limit on corn exports to guarantee domestic supplies and pledged instead to monitor supplies more closely. The decision was confirmed by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Livestock Ministry in a statement Tuesday.  Government officials will hope the move will lower tensions with the powerful agricultural sector, with … Read more

Crop U-turn peeves importers, lays bare Argentina's infighting

Argentina’s chaotic reversal on corn exports could hurt its standing among the world’s top grain suppliers as buyers get exposed to the unpredictability of government feuding. The South American powerhouse food provider ditched moves to intervene in shipments – first through a ban and then a daily cap – after ceding to the might of farmers and … Read more

Export cap reversal rounds off chaotic week of agro tensions

A week of agricultural tensions for the government ended in another dramatic U-turn this week, with producers and officials agreeing to further dialogue as a result. Agricultural producers began a three-day strike on Monday in rejection of the government’s decision earlier this month to suspend maize exports until March 1.  The so-called ‘paro agrario’ went … Read more

Budget 2020: 60% used to pay pensions, social plans or subsidies

The charts of Argentina’s 2020 Budget include an infinity of items and numbers explaining what the State spends its funds on, which mostly come from tax revenue.  They range from 3.189 billion pesos in travel expenses or 408 million pesos in cleaning materials, to 1.245 billion pesos in computer programmes or 60 million pesos for … Read more

Port strikes keep up disruptions in Argentina

Strikes by crop inspectors and maritime workers are prolonging disruptions at grain terminals in Argentina, keeping soy traders alert even as other protests from oilseed crushers have abated. Grain inspectors have been picketing at port entrances as part of a strike over pay that’s now lasted a month. The strikes have snarled shipments, affecting powerhouse … Read more

Government set to authorise re-opening of the cinemas

The national government has reached an agreement with the business chambers, unions and film industry on coronavirus protocols to enable the re-opening of cinemas. Having put together a sanitary protocol that each movie theatre will have to follow, the national government is preparing a decree that will enable moviegoers to see films on big screens … Read more

Government restricts nighttime activities in bid to halt virus

The government has confirmed it will introduce new restrictions on nighttime activities and the movement of people to halt the spread of Covid-19 during the summer vacation season, though on Friday officials stopped short of branding it a curfew. Details of the new measures have not yet been confirmed, but officials said that the restrictions … Read more

Ford to close factories, end manufacturing in Brazil

Ford Motor Company is ceasing manufacturing operations in Brazil after more than 100 years of building cars in the country as part of a restructuring that will eliminate 5,000 jobs and result in about a US$ 4.1 billion charge. The automaker said Monday it will close two factories in Brazil immediately and a third by the … Read more

INDEC reveals inflation reached 36.1% in 2020

Argentina registered cumulative inflation of 36.1 percent in 2020, with product prices rising fast in the final months of the year, the INDEC national statistics institute reported Thursday. In December, inflation was four percent, the highest monthly rate of the year and worst since November 2019.  In the last month of the year, food and … Read more

Pandemic-driven shift to home work carries risks, UN says

The shift to home-working triggered by the coronavirus pandemic looks set to endure long-term, making it vital to protect employees’ rights and avoid blurred lines between on-the-clock hours and personal time, the United Nations said Wednesday. Issues facing home workers and their employers need greater attention, including better safeguards and more awareness of the rights … Read more