Miller Magazine Issue: 145 January 2022

26 MILLER / january 2022 NEWS In its bid to promote production and incentivize exports of ecological, biological or organic agri- cultural products, Argentina lowered export duties for organic maize, wheat grain and wheat flour. The Government of Argentina adopted a decree, which, from 15 January 2022, exempts export duties for ecological, biological or organic agricultural products, duly certified and authorized by the competent body (SENASA). The notable exception was organic maize, wheat grain and wheat flour for which export duties remain in place but were lowered by 5 percentage points. Prior to the decree, 12 percent of duties were levied on exports of wheat and maize grains and 7 percent on exports of wheat flour. The decree aims to promote production and incen- tivize exports of ecological, biological or organic ag- ricultural products. According to the latest available official data, 24 098 hectares of organic cereals were harvested in 2020, corresponding to 0.13 percent of the total area harvested for cereals (18.5 million hectares) in 2020/21. The Buenos Aires grains exchange expects the coun- try to have record corn and wheat harvests in 2022, which would reach 57 million tonnes and 21 million tonnes, respectively. Amid the likely increase in demand for Argentinian wheat, the government has imposed an export limit on the food grain for MY 2021-22. Argentina's agricultural ministry on Dec. 17 capped wheat exports for MY 2021- 22 at 12.5 million mt. The USDA has pegged Argenti- na's wheat exports in MY 2021-22 at 13.5 million mt. Ar- gentina is the world’s third-biggest corn exporter and a top supplier of wheat, so any change to exports may have broader implications for global agriculture markets when supply chain snags have disrupted transport and food prices around the world have soared. The South American country is a key wheat supplier, primarily to neighboring Brazil. However, with global supplies seen drying up from Russia, the US and Canada, consuming countries in the Middle East are also looking at Argenti- na to meet their requirements. Argentina reduces export duties for organic wheat and maize