CLEAR WAY FOR IMPORTS Milei government opens up food imports in bid to curb price hikes 12-03-2024 12:38 Argentina’s government orders full opening of food imports in an attempt to curb an inflationary spike and introduce more “competitive” prices.
8M Rally 'We will be a tsunami' – Green tide fills streets surrounding Congress on 8M 09-03-2024 19:48 Thousands of women of all ages demonstrated near Congress to make their slogans against sexist violence heard. by Sabrina Chemen
IMPACT OF AUSTERITY Financing the fiscal surplus: Stories behind reduction in state spending 08-03-2024 08:52 Argentina recorded its first monthly budget surplus in nearly 12 years in January, President Milei’s first month in office. But according to one analysis, a third of those spending cuts came from a refusal to update pension payments for inflation. A look at the faces behind the figures. by Agustina Bordigoni
INFLATION Food prices have risen by up to 70% over last three months 06-03-2024 15:24 Hikes were driven by grocery products, fruits and vegetables, and meats, according to a private report.
#8M: WOMEN'S RIGHTS Feminists ready to rally for rights in face of Milei pushback 06-03-2024 09:37 International Women’s Day takes place this week and feminists across Argentina are ready to take to the streets to highlight the food crisis, the right to abortion, the pay gap, gender violence and much more. by Ashton Goren
ECONOMIC CRISIS Multiple demonstrations in Argentina to claim food aid 23-02-2024 17:49 Thousands of people marched on Friday across cities in Argentina to demand extra ood aid for soup kitchens and to reject severe austerity policies.
INFLATION WOES Latin America’s inflation progress tempered by soaring food price pressures 08-02-2024 14:28 Consumer price readings underscore challenges facing Latin American policymakers as they calibrate future interest rate cuts. Most of the region’s major inflation-targeting central banks have already begun reducing borrowing costs
PROTESTERS CHALLENGE PETTOVELLO Huge 'hunger line' in Buenos Aires challenges Milei's minister 06-02-2024 00:03 Sandra Pettovello’s claim she would attend to the hungry “one by one” backfires as hundreds of demonstrators form long queues outside her Human Capital Ministry, demanding greater state assistance in the face of a food emergency.
GRIPPED BY CRISIS In danger of extinction? Middle class slammed by crisis and austerity measures 16-01-2024 17:16 The removal of subsidies, rising rent and the increased costs of prepaid healthcare schemes and private schools are slamming the middle class, specialists warn. March will be a difficult month with the start of classes and the billing of basic public services shooting up. by Agustina Bordigoni
Living with inflation Runaway inflation sends food prices soaring in Argentina 11-01-2024 18:29 Consumer prices have soared more than 200% in Argentina over the last 12 months, with food leading the way. Some items increased by more than 600%. by Ramiro Speranza
WINE PRODUCTION Global wine production hits lowest level since 1961 07-11-2023 12:41 Global wine production falls to its lowest level in six decades due to frost and droughts; Argentine wine production reached only 8.8 million hectolitres – a slump of 23 percent and one of the lowest volumes ever recorded in recent history.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Private study says food prices surged almost 13% in September 03-10-2023 17:24 Food prices increased by 12.8% on average in September, according to a new private study; Some items like sugar have soared by more than 280% in last year, reports Focus Market consultancy firm.
FOOD & DRINK 'Anonymous' Michelin visit two provinces, seeking 'stars' of local gastronomy 25-07-2023 13:54 The prestigious gastronomic guide, considered 'The Bible' of good cuisine, expands to Argentina.
FOOD & DRINK Argentina’s Catena Zapata tops ranking of world’s 50 best vineyards to visit 12-07-2023 23:39 Argentina’s Catena Zapata crowned the number one wine estate in the world to go experience firsthand.
MIGRATION & HUMAN RIGHTS Migration 'only option' for many in Latin America, says food aid chief 05-07-2023 12:19 Many people in Latin America see migration as "the only option they have" after enduring successive crises of climate change, Covid and spiking food prices, says World Food Programme's head for the region Lola Castro.
FOOD & DRINK Asado championship brings beef to centre of Buenos Aires 23-06-2023 01:04 Fifth Federal Asado Championship brings crowds to Avenida 9 de Julio, with Formosa’s Germán Caballero crowned as winner. by Jiayi Zhang
FOOD & DRINK Francis Mallmann, Argentina’s ‘King of Fire,’ on finding his own style 19-05-2023 08:05 Legendary chef Francis Mallmann – a lover of nature, fire, Patagonia and potatoes – on going back to his roots and finding his own language in the kitchen.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Food leads price surges as experts forecast 126% inflation rate 12-05-2023 10:42 Latest Central Bank survey estimates a 7.5% jump in prices for last month and a 126.4% annual increase; Argentina suffered second-highest jump in food costs over past year, according to World Bank.
POLITICS ‘Plan Platita II’? Government to stuff pockets as inflation bites 18-04-2023 14:02 To mitigate the coalition friendly fire that has been rekindled by the confirmation of accelerating price hikes, Serio Massa’s economic cabinet is drawing up a new programme to stimulate consumption.
FOOD & DRINK Empanadas are Argentina's third most consumed food, says industry group 10-04-2023 15:38 According to a report, the podium of most favoured flavours is made up of carne suave empanadas on 20%, followed by ham and cheese, with 19%, and in third place, chicken, with 11%. by Claudio Corsalini
EXCHANGE RATE SCHEME Governors push back on criticism of Massa’s ‘dolár agro’ scheme 06-04-2023 19:27 New plan offers a rate of 300 pesos per greenback for agro-industrial exports; Governors push back from criticism from agricultural producers.
POLITICS & ECONOMY Mixed reaction as Massa looks to boost reserves with ‘dolár agro’ rate 06-04-2023 01:09 Economy minister unveils Programa de Incremento Exportador, otherwise known as a third incarnation of the ‘soy dollar’ scheme; New plan will offer a rate of 300 pesos per greenback for agro-industrial exports and introduce automatic benefits for producers affected by drought.
DOLAR AGRO Argentina rolls out special exchange rate to prop up reserves 05-04-2023 19:16 Argentina will once again introduce a temporary exchange rate for soybean exports and other products in an elaborate attempt to shore up dwindling Central Bank reserves amid a devastating drought.
FOOD & DRINK More plaudits for parrilla: Don Julio voted world’s greatest steakhouse 28-03-2023 15:11 Barely a week after a visit from Lionel Messi took the Palermo parrilla viral, famed Buenos Aires steakhouse Don Julio continues to receive global recognition.
DIPLOMACY & FOREIGN POLICY Ibero-American Summit: Leaders sign deal on LatAm food crisis, migration 26-03-2023 17:53 Leaders at Ibero-American Summit commit to fight food insecurity in Latin America, improve migration controls and negotiate more financial support for the region's struggling economies.
BLOOMBERG Shortage of cooking oil looms as biofuels gain global appeal 22-03-2023 12:30 A global biofuel boom is set to drive a shortage of vegetable oils — used for cooking and now increasingly to power trucks and planes — intensifying a debate over food versus fuel.
Agriculture Report: Drought to slash Argentina’s exports by US$20 billion 06-03-2023 13:50 Technical report by the CREA agricultural group projects soy harvest will fall 38% from last season, with maize down 30% and wheat down 37%.
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK Analysts: Inflation rate in Q1 will overshoot government targets 28-02-2023 15:49 Private estimates agree that prices are likely to rise 20% in the first quarter of 2022, with inflation set to accelerate next month, pushing Sergio Massa’s stated 3% target for April way out of reach. by Santiago Escobar
FOOD & DRINK Vegetables are taking Argentina’s carnivorous capital by storm 24-02-2023 10:00 Fear not, vegans. Whether you want plant-based pizza, elaborate fishless sushi, or a vegetarian-take on Argentine classics, Buenos Aires has something for even the pickiest herbivore. by Erica Davis
ECONOMY & SOCIETY Beef relief for butchers in Argentina? No more carrying half a cow 18-01-2023 12:27 Street scenes of butchers weighed down by half a cow carcass on their back could be a thing of the past after a new government ruling.
AGRICULTURE & ECONOMY Argentine grain harvests threatened by persistent drought 16-01-2023 17:53 Drought fears realised as Argentina loses half of soybean crop in main growing area; Experts warn that "economic losses will be substantial," with grain exports expected to slump by 21% in "best-case" scenario.
MEAT EXPORTS In Uruguay, an effort to save horses from foreign plates 28-12-2022 13:07 The Santuarios Primitivo NGO is doing its best to rescue horses in Uruguay, where slaughter of the beloved animals is increasing rapidly.
BLOOMBERG South America rain offers hope for relief in world food prices 15-11-2022 21:28 Rain finally fell in Argentina over the weekend and soy farmers started revving up tractors to make up for lost planting time.
CULTURE Century-old confitería La Ideal reopens after six-year closure 15-11-2022 17:56 Historic Buenos Aires cafe and cake shop on Calle Suipacha, originally founded by a Spanish merchant in 1912, closed its doors in 2016. Six years on, with restored French chandeliers, Italian furniture and stained glass windows, among other period treasures, the venue re-opens its doors. by Claudio Corsalini
Bloomberg Drought, soaring fertiliser costs push Argentine farmers to grow more soy 22-09-2022 11:13 Farmers are grappling with a third straight year of withering drought ahead of the growing season, but this year they have a new strategy to beat it: plant soybeans.
BRAZIL ELECTION 2022 Hunger returns to haunt Brazil amid divisive vote 15-09-2022 02:52 More than 33 million Brazilians live in hunger and the figure has become the subject of a bitter political battle as Latin America's biggest economy heads for a crucial October election.
ECONOMIC INDICATORS Food and fuel price rises put pressure on August inflation figure 03-09-2022 15:34 Most analysts and consultancy firms expect price rises totalled at least 6% last month, with some anticipating a monthly rate that’s closer to 7%.
Food Security Wind blows in favour of Argentina’s GM crops 24-08-2022 15:18 Genetically modified crops, which have for years been heavily criticised by environmentalists, are benefitting from new technological developments and health and safety approvals overseas.
Food and Drink 'Ultra-processed' foods law comes into force in Argentina 22-08-2022 12:54 A law to label foods as ultra-processed came into force in Argentina on Saturday, although it initially only covers a limited range of products and will not apply to all until the end of 2023.
FOOD & DRINK Veganism booms in Buenos Aires 19-08-2022 17:16 In the past few years, veganism has exploded in beef-obsessed Argentina – especially in the nation’s capital. A guide to why it happened, the stores and restaurants leading the plant-based revolution and notes on how you can adopt a greener, healthier, ethical lifestyle. by Rachel Cortes
FOOD & DRINK ‘The whole world is recognising our culture,’ says Don Julio owner 17-08-2022 16:41 Don Julio, Buenos Aires’ famed parrilla, has been named as one of the world’s Best 50 restaurants. Chef Pablo Rivero is the face of the family-run business renowned for its cuisine. by Ernesto Ise
PROTESTS IN ARGENTINA Social organisations renew demand for greater inflation aid 11-08-2022 09:47 Decision to spend the night in front of the Casa Rosada was taken after an assembly in which Unidad Piquetera leaders declared that their "demands were not heard" in meetings with government officials.
Bloomberg World food prices post biggest decline since 2008 in July 05-08-2022 20:39 Global food prices fell the most since 2008 after concerns over supplies of grains and vegetable oils eased as Ukraine moved toward restarting exports.
latin america Guatemala president warns millions could die as visits Ukraine 26-07-2022 16:34 Guatemalan president warns of potential deaths from “food crisis” caused by Russian invasion, in Ukraine visit.
Climate Change Battered by climate change, Latin America must brace for worse: report 26-07-2022 14:22 Latin America is now experiencing the calamitous impacts of climate change: water shortages and food insecurity are making their impact on human life in the region. It will only get worse, says World Meteorological Organisation report.
Bloomberg IMF sees Argentina committed to programme, with downside risks 26-07-2022 13:27 Officials re-iterate Argentina’s commitment to IMF $44 billion programme, despite economy in deepening crisis and risks on the downside.
Bloomberg Climate Disasters in Latin America Threaten Global Food Security 22-07-2022 16:23 Latin American food production in 2021 was impacted by climate change, and this trend will continue, according to the World Meteorological Organisation. Droughts and floods have led to thousands suffering from food insecurity and have had global impact.
Panama Protests Fresh roadblocks as Panama protesters reject deal 19-07-2022 14:13 Panama government’s deal with protesters fell through this Monday as roadblocks returned. Social groups made u-turn on agreement to end protests in return for lowered fuel costs.
Climate Change Climate change's fingerprints on ever hotter heatwaves 18-07-2022 15:07 As Europe sizzles, experts predict more to come. Increased frequency of heatwaves here to stay, and an undeniable symptom of climate change.
Panama Protests Panama government and protesters strike deals to clear key highway 18-07-2022 13:48 Panama's government agreed to lower fuel prices to end the Panamerican Highway blockade. Indigenous-led protests have halted food transportation over the last fortnight.