Autoconvoked grain truckers have parked their trucks along roadsides in several Argentine provinces, halting the harvest flow to ports like Quequén and Bahía Blanca. Triggered by gasoil price hikes, the protest has caused estimated losses of US$ 100 million over four days. Agroindustry groups urge an urgent resolution.
Grain truckers, led by the Unión Nacional de Transportistas de la República Argentina (UNTRA), have blocked roads in dozens of cities across Buenos Aires province, Córdoba, La Pampa, Misiones, and Santa Fe. This has stopped the harvest movement from fields to silos and ports, particularly affecting Quequén and Bahía Blanca terminals, where ships await export cargo.
The dispute arose from a 25% gasoil price increase in March, accounting for 65% of freight costs. "We are working at a loss," stated Carlos Geneiro, UNTRA's general secretary. On a 3 million peso haul, the owner nets 280,000 pesos and the driver 200,000 pesos. Groups like Fadeeac, Catac, and Fetra set a 13.16% reference rate hike, but UNTRA demands 30% more—totaling 17%—rejecting acopiadores' 10% offer.
Agroexporters call this "perhaps the largest harvest in Argentina's history." The industry estimates US$ 100 million losses over four days. UNTRA sent a letter to the government demanding talks, but the Secretaría de Transporte stated it has not intervened in rates since 2025, which are agreed between producers and providers.
The Consejo Agroindustrial Argentino (CAA) and grain exchanges from several regions called for agreements to normalize agricultural transport. "Today we are all affected," the CAA noted, including producers, acopiadores, ports, and the state.
