News of food

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.

Brazil Elections

Brazil annual inflation rate rises to 11.89%

11-07-2022 17:01 June brings accelerated inflation to Brazil, driven mainly by increased food costs, as Jair Bolsonaro’s re-election looms.

HUNGER

One-tenth of the world is hungry – and war risks worsening the crisis

07-07-2022 08:42 Number of undernourished people rose by about 6% to roughly 768 million last year, an annual report by United Nations agencies shows.

PRICE OF POVERTY

Family needs almost 100,000 pesos a month not to be poor

23-06-2022 14:29 A typical family in Argentina needed to earn almost 100,000 pesos in May not to qualify as living in poverty, according to INDEC.

AGRICULTURE

Argentina set for worst wheat harvest in 12 years

09-06-2022 16:03 Experts in Rosario trim outlook for 2022-2023 wheat harvest to 18 million tons.

LATIN AMERICA

US-Venezuela business picking up despite punishing sanctions

05-06-2022 12:35 Venezuela's imports of US food and farming products are on the rise, with the private sector driving increased business between the two former partners despite punishing sanctions imposed on Caracas by Washington.

Alberto in Europe

Fernandez relays Latin America's ‘concern’ over Ukraine war to Macron

13-05-2022 10:45 President Alberto Fernández ends his brief tour of Europe with a warm meeting with France’s newly re-elected leader Emmanuel Macron. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and global fall-out tops the agenda.

Marcha Federal Piquetera

Protesters demand jobs, better wages amid rampant inflation

12-05-2022 23:52 Tens of thousands of demonstrators from across the country descend on Buenos Aires for a massive rally, sparking traffic chaos in the capital.

HARVEST BOOM

Global grain shortage an opportunity for Argentina's 'green gold'

06-05-2022 15:48 Soybean harvest will be smaller than last year, but it will bring in record prices as a result of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Agro-industrial exports could reach as high as US$41 billion this year, according to experts.

WELFARE & POVERTY

Millions relying on food banks and soup kitchens as prices surge

29-04-2022 14:51 More than four million people depend on food banks and soup kitchens to eat in Argentina, and although the country has a well-oiled welfare network, the fight against high prices is tough and uncompromising.

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Exports soared to record high in March

21-04-2022 17:29 Argentina exported a record US$7.352 billion last month – 28.5% more than in the previous month.

Climate Crisis

Lots of low- and no-cost ways to halt global warming

07-04-2022 00:15 There is no silver bullet, but a mosaic of actions – from ramping up solar and wind technology, to economy-wide energy efficiencies – could help slash emissions and curb global warming.