Argentina's farmers protest deepening crisis as low prices and recession hit yerba mate, citrus and smallholdings

Producers in Misiones' yerba mate sector say the crisis has become a social problem, citing falling incomes, delayed payments and mounting debts. They accuse the head of the National Yerba Mate Institute, Rodrigo Correa, of neglecting the sector and have called for his resignation.

In Formosa, provincial economy minister Jorge Ibáñez warned of a "tremendous recession" triggered by national fiscal and monetary policies, noting that industries, commerce and construction are suffering while the purchasing power of Argentines declines.

A small‑scale farm in Río Grande, operated by Mónica, reports reduced egg sales, higher winter costs and the need to resort to bartering to stay afloat, attributing the squeeze to falling consumer demand and rising production expenses.

Citrus growers in Entre Ríos describe a critical situation where abundant harvests meet weak domestic consumption, resulting in prices that barely cover the roughly 100 pesos per kilo cost of production. The sector has shrunk from over 20 000 hectares to about 6‑7 000, and export volumes have fallen to historic lows. Producers warn that continued low margins will force cutbacks in fertilizer and pruning, jeopardising future yields.