Buenos Aires, Argentina – President Javier Milei today visited La Rural for the official inauguration of the 137th Rural Exhibition, generating significant anticipation for potential announcements directed at the vital agricultural sector. Accompanied by his sister, Karina Milei, and Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, the President was met with applause, a sign of his administration’s strong rapport with producers.

The agricultural sector, a fundamental pillar of the Argentine economy, is particularly keen on definitions regarding the future of export taxes (retenciones), a long-standing point of contention. During the event, Nicolás Pino, president of the Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA), delivered a speech emphasizing the sector’s transcendence for the nation and firmly advocating for the elimination of these export taxes. He also highlighted the importance of key entities such as INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology) and the need for a reorganization of SENASA (National Service of Agrifood Health and Quality).

For his part, President Milei, in his address, acknowledged the sector’s achievements, especially the increase in beef exports, and criticized past policies that, he asserted, fostered an anti-business narrative and threatened private property. While there were expectations for concrete announcements regarding the reduction of export taxes, the government had recently reinstated higher aliquots for soy and corn, fueling producers’ demands for fiscal relief. The absence of Vice President Victoria Villarruel was also noted, amidst recent public disagreements with the President, although the primary focus remained on the presidential message to the agricultural community.