Villarruel and Caputo Agree on Eliminating Export Duties, with Different Timelines and Scope

Vice President Victoria Villarruel participated this Saturday in the opening of the 90th edition of Expo Venado, in Santa Fe, and called for eliminating export duties. In parallel, Economy Minister Luis Caputo had promised days earlier at the Palermo Rural Exhibition that the Government will seek to end that tax before 2031. The statements show coincidences in the objective but differences in timelines and emphasis.

Villarruel’s demand at Expo Venado

According to Crónica, Villarruel led the inaugural ribbon-cutting alongside local authorities and rural leaders. There she stated that the country must move towards a scheme without export duties for agriculture and industry: «I am not aware that in Congress we still have any type of bill regarding this, but of course the future of our countryside and our industry must be without export duties.»

The vice president toured the central track of the grounds with the president of the Rural Society of Venado Tuerto, Noelia Castagnani; Mayor Leonel Chiarella; and the Minister of Productive Development of Santa Fe, Gustavo Puccini. In a press conference, she emphasized that the economic future is tied to productive work and value addition.

She also referred to the recent display of the Malvinas flag by the national soccer team. As the daughter of a war veteran, she called it «deeply moving» and said it was seeing 40 years in which many veterans were made invisible.

Caputo’s promise in Palermo

The Ministry of Economy released an official note about Caputo’s visit to the Palermo Rural Exhibition, held on Thursday. According to that source, the minister was received by the president of the Argentine Rural Society, Nicolás Pino, and other executives. He toured the stand of the Secretariat of Agriculture and spoke with producers.

Caputo highlighted the Government’s efforts: «We have lowered taxes and tariffs on capital goods, allowed the import of machinery even used, and lowered export duties.» And he assured: «The countryside can be calm that before 2031 our goal is to end the martyrdom of export duties.»

Additionally, Agrovisor was presented, a digital tool that analyzes the market to detect commercial opportunities in the agro-industrial sector. Caputo also participated in the award ceremony for the Grand Champion Hereford Male to the San Marón Ranch of Chubut.

Coincidences and differences between the sources

Both sources agree that export duties are a central issue for the countryside and that the Government intends to eliminate them. However, there are notable differences:

• Timelines: Villarruel did not mention dates, while Caputo set the horizon for 2031.
• Scope: Villarruel spoke of eliminating duties for agriculture and industry; Caputo referred specifically to agricultural duties.
• Context: Villarruel spoke at a party event with implicit criticism of the Government; Caputo did so at an official event.

It is important to note that the Crónica source is a journalistic medium, while the Ministry’s is an official communication. There is no direct contradiction, but neither is there mutual confirmation: each reflects statements in different contexts.

Practical impact on producers and the economy

The statements have concrete effects on the agricultural sector and the economy in general. Below, the consequences are detailed according to their level of certainty:

• Immediate: Producers and exporters can expect that the issue of export duties remains on the agenda. Official promises generate expectations about future reductions.
• Conditional: If the Government fulfills its promise to eliminate export duties before 2031, it could increase profitability in the countryside and encourage investment. But it depends on the fiscal situation and congressional approval.
• Still uncertain: There is no bill presented, as Villarruel acknowledged. Nor are there details on how the loss of revenue would be compensated.

What to follow

It is advisable to monitor whether the Executive Branch sends a bill to Congress to eliminate export duties, and whether there is progress in the Budget committee. It is also relevant to follow negotiations with the IMF, which could condition tax policy. The next statements by Caputo or Villarruel on the matter will be indicative of the real will to move forward.