Argentina has authorised export of 240,000 tonnes of wheat as current crop yields are higher than expected after a severe drought, the agriculture minister said late on Wednesday. Argentina, a major producer of soy, corn and wheat, has restricted wheat exports to guarantee domestic supplies and the authorisation comes as part of a wider agreement with the agricultural sector, which has protested government farm policy for two years.
Entre Rios province, one of the main wheat-growing areas in the country, had petitioned to be able to export the grain. "This measure comes as we put in place the accord agreed on in a meeting on November 26, when we signed a six-point act that we hope to start putting into practice," said Agriculture Minister Julian Dominguez, according to state news agency Telam. The government has allowed wheat exports off-and-on during the year for limited amounts. In recent months, growers complained that they cannot find buyers on the local market because millers are fully supplied.