Argentina Chamber of Deputies approves VAT reduction for cassava starch

The Argentine Chamber of Deputies has granted preliminary approval to a bill that would reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) on cassava starch and its derivatives from 21% to 10.5%. The project, championed by deputies Oscar Herrera Ahuad and Yamila Ruiz, aims to align the tax rate of cassava-based products with that of wheat flour.

Supporters of the measure, including Misiones Governor Hugo Passalacqua, state that the reduction will benefit over 10,000 producer families and cooperatives in the Northeast region. Beyond economic support for regional production, the initiative is framed as a public health measure intended to lower costs for the celiac community and those requiring gluten-free diets, who currently face significantly higher prices for specialized food products.