Argentina Truckers End Protest Threatening Grain Transport

Argentinian truckers have agreed to call off a strike that had paralyzed grains transport in the country since Monday, according to the transport Ministry

Truckers represented by the Federation of Argentine Carriers (FETRA) had been demanding higher freight rates and talks with the government on Wednesday failed to make progress.

A source close to the talks told Reuters that “it was finally resolved with an (increase of) 20% and the immediate lifting of the strike”.

Nearly 85% of grains in Argentina are transported to ports by truck, and the strike threatened grain exports in one of the world’s top food exporters.

According to the source, after almost four hours of meeting, an 11% reference rate agreement was reached until the month of March.

There was further discussion over April rates and a total of 20% was agreed, the person said, declining to be identified citing lack of authority to provide details on the negotiations.

Argentina registered a monthly inflation rate of 6.7% in March, elevating the annual inflation rate to 55.1%.

FETRA has also complained about fuel shortages at a time when there is increased demand for moving soybean and corn crops.