Salta municipal meat fair sparks controversy over pricing and competition

The Municipality of Salta organized a "Feria de la Carne" in Plaza España, selling more than 80,000 kg of meat, poultry and fish, with discounts of up to 50 %. Officials said the fair aims to help families who can no longer afford meat, noting that many Salteños consider meat a luxury. Municipal chief of staff Juan Manuel Chalabe stressed that the city cannot set prices and that the initiative is a necessary response to the hard‑hit local economy.

Local meat producers and the Sociedad Rural de Salta contested the fair, labeling it "unfair competition" because permanent retailers bear higher taxes and fixed costs. Producer Dardo Romano complained that the event "caused discomfort… it is unfair competition", while Sociedad Rural president Alfredo Figueroa demanded equal conditions for traders who fully comply with tax obligations and called for broader fiscal relief. The municipal government defended the fair as a temporary measure and announced additional editions in the coming months.