Have you guys heard about the strike, us Argentine farmers, are doing since last March 11th?

Question

Government has decided to take 80% of our net profit in crop production.

We produce food for more than 320 million people even when our population if less than 39 million.

The Government is banning export trades of many products even when we supply almost 10 times our domestic demand.

Our costs are similar to the US costs.

Our beef, the best in the world, is only paid US$ 0.45/lb.

We are, sadly, fighting comunism in the 21st century.

Have you heard of our situation over there?

Answer 1

In the UK ? not a word ! Seems you need to consider a different form of Public Relations to get your points across

Answer 2

I haven't heard about it here in Norway. As far as I have understood it, Argentina is one of the world's major food producers, so what on earth is your government about? Keep fighting!

Os deseo mucha suerte en su lucha!

Answer 3

A little, especially on the beef front. This is probably due to the fact that I attend a major university in a southern state (Texas) and I'm majoring in Animal Science/Production, so this affects me also (obviously in a secondary nature). A lot of ag producers (cow/calf and stocker cattle producers) are basically in fear that the government there works things out, and gets in a decent infrastructure for trade/transport of cattle, because due to our rising costs of feed, it's becoming much more economical to purchase beef (at that government-controlled price) from Argentina/Brazil etc than to purchase American-grown beef.

Everyone there definitely has my sympathy, I think the media may like to ignore it because so many Americans today don't think agriculture (especially global agriculture practices/events) don't affect their everyday lives, which could not be further from the truth.

I hope for the producers' sakes that things are resolved to their benefit, after all, they're doing the work, not the government!

Answer 4

As an investor in agriculture-related stocks, your strike in Argentina has been a top priority for me.  The action by your government to curb wheat exports was the even more significant news item, as Argentina is potentially at the forefront of a global food crisis.  As you know, wheat reserves are at a 30 year low, and Argentina is one of the leaders that can potentially help stem this shortage and reduce our exposure to worldwide famine.  Rather than take advantage of the situation to enrich the nation and improve the business of farming, the Argentine government has behaved absurdly, protecting its own retention of power - as we will expect many governments in the world to act as the crisis deepens.  

Already the Argentine govt failed its farmers by not obtaining a reliable supply of national gas to enable low nitrogen fertilizer prices.  Argentina is one of the few places in the world where food productivity can be increased; the govt is nuts of course not to seize the opportunity, but only focus on low food prices in the next twelve months.

It's sad that as an investor, the second thought (not the first) goes to the welfare of individuals, but the unfairness to farmers is not lost on us. In India the situation is comparable but even worse.  There farmers are committing suicide.  

The impact of the strike has been more to raise global wheat prices (and to a degree, soybean prices) than to focus political awareness or pressure.

All my sympathies are with you, the farmers of Argentina, and the farmers in all countries, who seem to suffer at the hands of increasingly incompetent governments, including the USA.

Answer 5

Sorry that you are having these problems with your government. I have to agree with others that we have had very little news of this in US. You will probably have to start massacring each other before our news media will take any notice. Keep spreading your message.

Answer 6

Hey Bumper Crop, Glad to see you back in agriculture. I am sad to say that we actually hear very little about your situation here in the USA. President Bush is trying to get a free trade agreement with many South American countries, but has a lot of resistance from the US congress and the Government of the other countries as well. I have been hoping to have an update on your strike and if it was working out for you. Post more information here in English and keep us updated.

Answer 7

No, I hadn't, sure am curious about it now though, thanks.

We're retired dairy famers in U.S. have always believed that some day all our food will come from South America.  80% is a drastic amount, doesn't leave much for operating costs, much less living.  I'd certainly like to know what all the banning is about.  I won't see the day, but eventually we won't be able to grow enough to feed all our people in this country.