July 1, 2022

Argentinian grains exports affected by trucker protest

Argentinian grains exports are affected by a new trucker protest, decreasing the number of freight vehicles transporting grains to the country's main port of Rosario, which serves as the entry point for about 80% of Argentine agricultural exports, Reuters reported.

The provincial Road Safety Agency said truck owner guilds are protesting high diesel prices and shortages, preventing loaded trucks from passing through towards the port.

Data from the Rosario Grains Exchange showed 889 grain trucks arrived at terminals on the Parana River in Rosario on June 29, which is 76% less than it was a year earlier. In Argentina, trucks transport more than 80% of the grains intended for export.

Gustavo Idigoras, head of the grain exporters and crushers chamber in Buenos Aires, said they are on the verge of running out of grains, adding that they are missing more than 400,000 tonnes (of goods).

Argentina is a significant supplier of wheat and beef to the world market as well as the world's top exporter of processed soybean oil and meal.

The protest, according to Guillermo Wade, manager of the Rosario Chamber of Port and Maritime Activities, is preventing grain replenishments for crushing and shipping.

The nation's transport minister, Alexis Guerrera, predicted over the weekend that the arrival of ships carrying fuel imports would solve the diesel shortage within 15 to 20 days.

-      Reuters