Industrial activity closed the first quarter of 2021 4.3% above the same period of 2019, and in turn, out of a total of 14 sectors, 13 industrial sectors consumed the same or more energy in March than in 2019, according to findings of CEP XXI's Productive Outlook report.
Government announces investment of $109.37 mn to strengthen the health system
The Government announced an investment of 10.155 billion pesos ($109.37 mn) to reinforce the health system in the face of the second wave of Covid-19. It also revealed that health personnel would receive a monthly bonus of 6,500 pesos ($70), including 100,000 workers who will benefit from this bonus, not included in 2020.
Soybeans rose $6 and surpassed $532
Soybean rose $6.06 yesterday in the Chicago market, after reaching a seven-year high, and closed at $532.69. The oilseed price accumulated its fifth bullish round and was 75% above the value it had thirteen months ago. Exports of the soybean complex closed the first quarter of the year with a record income of $5.025 billion due to the increase in international grain prices.
Industry grew 0.6% month-over-month in March
The industry grew by 0.6% month-on-month in March, 4.3% above the average of the same period of 2019. These results imply that the manufacturing sector expanded 27.4% year-on-year in March.
The industry used 58.3% of its installed capacity in February
The manufacturing industry used 58.3% of its installed capacity during February, according to the INDEC (National Institute of Statistics and Censuses) reported on Monday. In annual terms, this was the first drop in four months. Compared to February 2020 (59.4%), the decrease was explained mainly by a higher number of scheduled plant shutdowns, which had more intensively arranged last year in January.
Government tightens controls on exports of meat, grains and dairy products
Through Resolution 60/2021 published in the Official Gazette, the Ministry of Agriculture has added new requirements to the Regulation for Registration in the Registro Único de Operadores de la Cadena Agroindustrial (RUCA) in order to legally carry out trade. The measure covers exports of meat, grains and dairy products and is part of the government's efforts to tame inflation, which last month reached a peak of 4.8% for the year.
Second Covax delivery of 864,000 AstraZeneca doses arrives
Argentina took delivery of a new shipment of Covid-19 vaccines welcoming 864,000 doses from the AstraZeneca laboratory as part of the World Health Organisation's COVAX scheme. The doses, which arrived on a flight from the Netherlands, come from the nine million vaccines acquired by Argentina through the Covax scheme. This is the second shipment, following on from some 218,000 doses received in March.
Argentina seeks Paris Club deal amid IMF talks
Argentina is pressing the Paris Club to renegotiate debt with the South American country as separate talks to strike a deal with the International Monetary Fund drag on, La Nación reported, citing Economy Minister Martín Guzmán. Guzmán said that Argentina was working to postpone or refinance upcoming debt payments with the group of wealthy countries to avoid a shock that damages the economy at a time when it is recovering.
Argentina registered 25% fewer farms in 2018 than in 2002
The National Institute of Statistics and Census (Indec) released the final data of the 2018 Agricultural Census (CNA-18), in which a total of 221,207 agricultural establishments with a defined limit were registered throughout the country, 25.6% fewer than in the survey carried out in 2002.
Patagonia Gold enters into definitive agreements to acquire the Homenaje and Nico Projects in Argentina
Patagonia Gold Corp has entered into definitive agreements to acquire two projects in the Deseado Massif of southern Argentina. Patagonia entered into a definitive option agreement dated April 15, 2021 with Mirasol Resources Ltd. and Mirasol’s wholly owned subsidiary Australis S.A. which grants Patagonia an option to acquire a 75% undivided interest in and to Australis’ rights and interest in the Homenaje project located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Patagonia also entered into a definitive transfer agreement dated April 15, 2021 with the Vendors, which grants Patagonia a 100% undivided interest in and to Australis’ rights and interest in the Nico project located in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina.
