# South America-Mexico agribusiness expo (June‑July 2026) > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/female-engineering-initiatives-in-chile-and-argentina > Updated: 2026-07-26T18:15:30.000Z. Sources: 173. Developments: 18. The 138th Exposición Rural in Palermo (16‑26 July 2026) anchored Argentina’s agribusiness policy shift. President Javier Milei opened the fair by confirming a multi‑year plan to cut export retentions: soybean levies to 15 % by Dec 2028, corn to 5.5 % after an interim 8.5 %, and wheat and barley already at 5.5 %. He framed the cuts as correcting an “aberration” and said they would be financed by expected growth in energy and mining exports, provided a sustained fiscal surplus is kept. Milei also announced a private‑property inviolability law projected to draw about US$15 billion into agriculture‑linked industries. Rural leaders, including Sociedad Rural Argentina president Nicolás Pino and Buenos Aires mayor Jorge Macri, called for a permanent legal abolition of all retentions. At the opening ceremony Milei highlighted that expansion of Vaca Muerta hydrocarbon production and forthcoming lithium and copper mining projects would generate the foreign‑exchange earnings needed to replace the tax revenue. The expo attracted over one million visitors, a 10 % rise in exhibitors, and showcased record sowing of 40 million ha and grain output above 164 million t in the 2025‑26 campaign. In a closing address on 26 July, Milei reiterated the same retention‑reduction schedule, emphasized that any further tax relief would hinge on maintaining the fiscal surplus, and again tied the financing of the cuts to rapid growth in energy and mining sectors. Milei noted that Argentina has collected roughly US$215 billion in export retentions since 2002, underscoring the fiscal importance of the reforms. ## Claims - Milei announced a gradual reduction of the export tax on soybeans, lowering it from 33 % to 24 % and ultimately to 15 % by December 2028. (disputed by 15 sources) - The export tax on corn will be cut from 12 % to 8.5 % and later to 5.5 % under Milei’s plan. (disputed by 13 sources) - Export taxes on wheat and barley will be reduced from 12 % to a final rate of 5.5 %. (disputed by 13 sources) - Milei’s government is promoting a private‑property inviolability law expected to generate US$15 billion in investment for agro‑linked industries. (disputed by 11 sources) - Milei eliminated the foreign‑exchange cap (cepo cambiario), calling it the market’s biggest theft. (disputed by 8 sources) - Milei announced a reduction of tariffs on agricultural inputs and machinery to boost competitiveness. (disputed by 8 sources) - No major new economic announcements were expected or made during Milei’s speech at the Rural Expo. (disputed by 4 sources) - Growth of energy and mining exports will finance the elimination of agricultural export taxes. (disputed by 3 sources) - President Javier Milei spoke at the closing ceremony of the 138th Exposición Rural de Palermo. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Nicolás Pino demanded the permanent elimination of all export retentions. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Milei described export retentions as an “aberration that never should have existed”. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Export retentions are an “aberration that never should have existed”. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Since 2002 the Argentine state has collected roughly US$215 billion through export retentions. (corroborated by 6 sources) - Sociedad Rural Argentina president Nicolás Pino demanded that export retentions be eliminated permanently by law. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The agricultural sector contributes over US$83 billion to Argentina’s economy. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Milei warned that no tax cuts are possible without a sustained fiscal surplus. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Milei said growth of energy and mining will finance the elimination of agricultural export retentions. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Milei pledged to eliminate export retentions using revenue from the growth of the energy and mining sectors. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The current government reduced export retentions, saving about US$6 billion for producers. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Vice President Victoria Villarruel did not attend the Rural Expo event. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The 5% export tax on beef cattle (novillos) would cost about US$130 million per year. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The 138th Exposición Rural was inaugurated at La Rural in Palermo, Buenos Aires. (corroborated by 4 sources) - President Milei pledged to eliminate export retentions on agricultural products. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Milei presented a schedule to reduce soybean export retentions to 15 % by December 2028. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Sociedad Rural Argentina president Nicolás Pino demanded that export retentions be eliminated by law permanently. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Milei described export retentions as an aberration that must be eliminated. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Milei said a “radically different field” is coming for Argentine agriculture. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Export retentions are described by President Javier Milei as an “aberration that never should have existed.” (corroborated by 3 sources) - Milei said the growth of Argentina’s energy and mining sectors will finance the elimination of export retentions. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Energy and mining sector growth will increase foreign‑exchange earnings to fund the removal of export retentions. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Record sowing area reached 40 million hectares and grain production exceeded 164 million tonnes in the 2025‑26 campaign. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Corn export retentions will be lowered to 5.5 % by 2028. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Since 2002 the Argentine state has collected about US$215 billion through export retentions. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Eliminating export retentions will depend on maintaining a sustained fiscal surplus. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Milei warned that tax cuts are not possible without a sustained fiscal surplus. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Milei said a sustained fiscal surplus is required for any further tax cuts. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Agriculture generates about 60 % of Argentina’s foreign‑exchange earnings and roughly a quarter of formal employment. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Jorge Macri said if agriculture thrives, Argentina has many more opportunities. (single source) - The schedule will reduce soybean export retentions to 15 % by December 2028. (single source) - Milei highlighted record sowing area of 40 million hectares and called the coming period a “revolution” in agriculture. (single source) - Milei said eliminating the retentions depends on maintaining a sustained fiscal surplus. (single source) - A law on the inviolability of private property is expected to attract about US$15 billion in investment for agro‑linked industries. (single source) - The Washington Post praised Argentina’s fiscal surplus, inflation drop and credit‑rating improvement under Milei’s administration. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-07-26: Javier Milei ties energy, mining growth to eliminate export retentions Milei announced the removal of agricultural export retentions, to be financed by growth in energy and mining, and set a 2028 timeline for soybean cuts, stressing the need for a sustained fiscal surplus. 91 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-president-milei-announces-gradual-cut-to-agricultural-export-taxes ### 2026-07-24: Buenos Aires Expo Rural 2026 Highlights Agro‑Tech, Startups and New Machinery Expo Rural 2026 in Buenos Aires showcased agritech, startups and Valtra’s new tractors, drawing over 400 stands, 4,500 animal exhibitors and a surge in digital farming tools. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buenos-aires-expo-rural-2026-highlights-agrotech-startups-and-new-machinery ### 2026-07-24: President Javier Milei addresses Argentina's Rural Expo, pledges to eliminate export taxes President Javier Milei closed Argentina's Rural Expo, reaffirming the goal to scrap export taxes; Rural leader Nicolás Pino demanded permanent removal, while Vice President Villarruel again stayed away. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/president-javier-milei-attends-closing-ceremony-of-argentinas-expo-rural-palermo ### 2026-07-24: Argentina's Rural Expo launches green financing scheme and bovine genomics program At Argentina's Rural Expo, SRA promoted green financing for sustainable producers, while Fundación Sadosky launched a bovine genomics program with breeder groups to enhance export quality and disease prevention 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentinas-rural-expo-launches-green-financing-scheme-and-bovine-genomics-program ### 2026-07-22: Argentina's Rural Expo in Palermo hosts officials, awards and sector showcases Argentina's 138th Rural Expo in Palermo featured government officials, confirmed no new export‑tax cuts, awarded top livestock producers, and hosted industry and tourism stands. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/entre-ros-producers-honored-at-palermo-rural-expo ### 2026-07-19: Entre Ríos and Neuquén showcase provincial products at Argentina's Expo Rural in Palermo Entre Ríos and Neuquén use the 138th Expo Rural in Palermo to promote provincial tourism, food products and export opportunities, showcasing dozens of local entrepreneurs and investment initiatives. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/entre-ros-showcases-tourism-and-local-products-at-argentinas-expo-rural-in-palermo ### 2026-07-18: Mexican universities boost tech education with new Smart Factory lab and agricultural prototype contest UAG launches a Bosch‑backed Smart Factory lab for industrial engineering, while UACh runs a prototype contest featuring AI and robotics tools for Mexican agriculture. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexican-universities-boost-tech-education-with-new-smart-factory-lab-and-agricultural-prototype-cont ### 2026-07-17: Argentina's Expo Rural 2026 attracts over a million visitors in Palermo The 138th Expo Rural 2026 in Palermo runs July 16‑26, expecting over a million visitors, showcasing 2,500+ animals, launching ExpoBra 2026, debuting Fendt, and featuring the birth of the “Lionela” calf honoring 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/buenos-aires-la-rural-expo-138-opens-with-agroindustrial-unity-message ### 2026-07-14: Argentina's Expo Rural 2026 highlights provincial showcases, AgTech Forum and Brangus livestock Expo Rural 2026 (16‑26 July, Palermo) features provincial pavilions, an AgTech Forum on AI, UBIAR’s ERP AI tools, Brangus livestock show and 4 500 animals, with tickets at ARS 16.500 per day. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-and-chile-showcase-agricultural-ai-and-innovation-events ### 2026-07-09: Engineering Schools in Chile and Mexico Forge New Industry Partnerships Universities in Chile and Mexico are deepening industry ties: UDP students toured Rosen, UPAEP launched XR labs for engineering, and UMAD software students delivered a campus event‑management tool. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/engineering-schools-in-chile-and-mexico-forge-new-industry-partnerships ### 2026-07-07: University students visit juvenile reintegration centers in Mexico and Chile University students in Mexico’s San Luis Potosí and Chile’s Antofagasta visited juvenile reintegration centers, discussing challenges and promoting academic‑service collaboration. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-students-visit-juvenile-reintegration-centers-in-mexico-and-chile ### 2026-07-02: Universities Expand Community Education in Mexico, Argentina Universities in Mexico and Argentina are extending outreach, with Universidad de Colima's architecture faculty assessing rural school facilities and Liceo Víctor Mercante hosting a fair to link producers, artis 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/universities-expand-community-education-in-mexico-argentina ### 2026-07-01: Mexico and Argentina mark July professional celebration days Mexico’s Engineer Day (July 1) and Argentina’s Bioengineering Day (July 3) celebrate historic milestones and modern advances in engineering and health technology. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-and-argentina-mark-july-professional-celebration-days ### 2026-06-28: Santiago Metro unveils mural honoring 30 women engineers Metro de Santiago opened a mural at Universidad de Chile station showcasing 30 Chilean women engineers to encourage STEM participation among girls. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-highlights-women-leaders-and-engineers-in-santiago-initiatives ### 2026-06-23: University student programs in Argentina and Chile promote research and community engagement Argentina's medical faculty showcased student research projects, while Chile's Universidad Diego Portales held a networking event for medical students, both emphasizing research and student development. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/university-student-programs-in-argentina-and-chile-promote-research-and-community-engagement ### 2026-06-20: Engineering Forums in Argentina and Chile Emphasize Industry Collaboration An engineering congress in Mar del Plata, Argentina tackled food industry challenges, while a Magallanes university symposium linked academia with aquaculture and agriculture sectors. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/engineering-forums-in-argentina-and-chile-emphasize-industry-collaboration ### 2026-06-06: Argentina marks Engineering Day, noting rise in women engineers and low public‑works investment Argentina's Engineering Day highlighted historic contributions, a surge in female engineering students and a stark public‑works investment gap of about 0.3%. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-marks-engineering-day-noting-rise-in-women-engineers-and-low-publicworks-investment ### 2026-06-02: Engineering Events in Chile and Argentina Promote Female Leadership Chile hosted a women‑engineers networking event, while Argentina began an Engineering Week with public outreach and university‑industry initiatives. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/engineering-events-in-chile-and-argentina-promote-female-leadership --- Cite as: South America-Mexico agribusiness expo (June‑July 2026). CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/female-engineering-initiatives-in-chile-and-argentina