Why Is Argentina Raising Taxes on Agriculture?

Latin America Advisor

On March 20, The Dialogue published a commentary by Cefeidas Group’s political and regulatory risk lead specialist Megan Cook. She commented on the motivations behind the recent increase in export taxes on the agricultural sector in Argentina and their political and economic impacts, responding to the following questions:

Farmers in Argentina last week held a four-day strike protesting the government’s recent hike of export taxes on soybeans and the crop’s byproducts from 30 percent to 33 percent. The strike was reminiscent of a previous conflict between farmers and the Peronist government of former President and current Vice President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, when agriculture producers’ protests forced her administration to back down from its attempts to raise taxes on soy sales. What are the reasons behind the most recent tax hikes? How serious are the consequences for Argentina’s agriculture sector? What political and economic implications does the farmers’ strike have, and is a repeat of the standoff between a Peronist government and farmers in store?

To read her commentary in the full article, please click here.