The potential of major changes in Argentina provides hope for producers, exporters

Since taking office in December, President Javier Milei has wasted no time acting on his promises to foment a radical change in Argentina. Within weeks, he had issued a range of executive decrees and sent an omnibus bill to Congress. The original proposal changed more than 300 laws, with the goals of deregulating labor laws, privatizing state-run companies and placing restrictions on protests. While the decrees come into force – resulting in a rapid devaluation in the currency as the Argentine peso fell from its artificially pegged value closer to the actual market value – the omnibus bill failed to pass an initial vote in Congress, and negotiations are ongoing. Olive oil producers and exporters interviewed by Olive Oil Times are cautiously optimistic – some are even bullish – that President Milei’s reforms will help the sector. However, significant challenges are expected in the short term. “The problem continues to be inflation, the tax burden and non-wage labor laws,” said ...