President Javier Milei addresses Argentina's Rural Expo, pledges to eliminate export taxes

Javier Milei Exposición Rural export taxes Nicolás Pino retentions

President Javier Milei delivered the closing speech of the 138th Exposición Rural de Palermo, a key gathering of Argentina's agro‑industrial sector. In his remarks he reiterated the government's goal of removing export taxes – known as retentions – and said the administration is "on the way to free them completely". He did not announce any new measures, confirming earlier statements that major policy changes would not be unveiled at the event.

Sociedad Rural Argentina president Nicolás Pino used the opening ceremony to demand that retentions be abolished "by law and forever". He cited that since 2002 the sector paid about US$215 billion in export taxes, while the current government has cut roughly US$6 billion, allowing producers to reinvest in genetics, pastures and machinery. Pino highlighted that Argentine agriculture generated more than US$83 billion in the last year, employing over four million people directly and indirectly.

Vice President Victoria Villarruel again declined the invitation to attend, underscoring a political rift with the Milei administration. Officials noted the pending discussion on the 5% export levy on beef cattle, estimated to cost around US$130 million annually, and the broader schedule to reduce export duties on soy, corn, sunflower and sorghum starting in 2027. The event also featured traditional displays of champion livestock, agricultural machinery and cultural groups.

Entities

Exposición Rural de Palermo · Javier Milei · Nicolás Pino · Sociedad Rural Argentina · Victoria Villarruel

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] Vice President Victoria Villarruel did not attend the Rural Expo event. www.lagaceta.com.ar · mendoza24.com.ar · diariolaprovinciasj.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The 5% export tax on beef cattle (novillos) would cost about US$130 million per year. mendoza24.com.ar · diariolaprovinciasj.com · diariopanorama.com · sinmordaza.com
[● 4 SOURCES] The current government reduced export retentions, saving about US$6 billion for producers. combonoticias.com · www.diarioelzondasj.com.ar · saltadiario.com.ar · puebloregional.com.ar
[● 9 SOURCES] President Javier Milei spoke at the closing ceremony of the 138th Exposición Rural de Palermo. mendoza24.com.ar · diariolaprovinciasj.com · www.lagaceta.com.ar · puebloregional.com.ar · diariopanorama.com · +4 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Milei highlighted the removal of the exchange‑control (cepo) and growth of the energy and mining sectors as supporting the reduction of retentions. puebloregional.com.ar · www.labrujula24.com
[DISPUTED] No major new economic announcements were expected or made during Milei’s speech at the Rural Expo. diariolaprovinciasj.com · diariopanorama.com · sinmordaza.com · tn.com.ar
[● 6 SOURCES] Nicolás Pino called for the permanent abolition of export taxes (retentions) on agricultural products. combonoticias.com · www.diarioelzondasj.com.ar · saltadiario.com.ar · puebloregional.com.ar · www.labrujula24.com · +1 more
[● 4 SOURCES] Argentina's agricultural sector contributed more than US$83 billion to the national economy in the last year. combonoticias.com · saltadiario.com.ar · www.labrujula24.com · tn.com.ar