After a 2023 marked by drought, this year the pace of field liquidations began in a better way.
In January, companies in the agricultural sector
settled US$1,522 million
, which represents an increase of 64% compared to the same month in 2023 and an improvement of 22% compared to December 2023.
This was indicated in the latest report from the Chamber of the Oil Industry of the Argentine Republic (CIARA) and the Cereal Exporters Center (CEC), entities that represent 48% of Argentine exports.
As they explained, the greater inflow of foreign currency in January of this year was
a product of the new agricultural dollar regime
and the
macroeconomic movements of the new government
that impact the decisions to sell the grain supply.
In any case, despite the increase in foreign exchange settlement, grain and by-product exporting companies warned that
they continue to work with high levels of idle capacity
.
It should be remembered that the 2023 settlement was US$19,742 million, which meant a drop of 51% (approximately US$21,000 million) compared to 2022.
However, with drought,
the field continued to lead Argentine exports last year
.
In volume, corn, soybean meal and crude oil achieved the podium with 23.9 million, 17.4 million and 6.9 million tons, respectively.
In value, soybean flour was the product that brought the highest income to the country, with US$ 8,249 million.
They were followed by corn, with US$ 6,212 million, and utilities, with US$ 4,771 million.
For this year, according to the first analyzes of the Rosario Stock Exchange at the beginning of the year, they realized that the harvest would be 137 million tons and would generate income of more than US$ 35,000 million.
This was mainly due to the abundant rainfall that occurred between November and December, which promoted the planting of corn and soybeans.
But now, with little rain in January and extreme heat,
crops are beginning to show symptoms of deterioration
and there could be productive losses.