On Tuesday, two unions representing soybean oil factory workers in Argentina initiated a strike in response to stalled wage negotiations, bringing operations to a halt in one of the world’s largest soybean processing hubs. The unions, SOEA and the Federation of Oilseed Industry Workers, announced that the strike affects all soybean oil plants across the country.
Argentina is a major global supplier of processed soybeans, which are crucial for various industries, including food production and biodiesel. The strike was prompted by the unions’ demands for higher wages amid ongoing economic challenges in the country, where inflation has significantly impacted living costs. Although inflation rates have shown signs of slowing, official data indicates that consumer prices rose by 80% in the first half of the year.
Following discussions with sector companies, including the oilseed industry chamber CIARA, no agreement was reached, leading to the continuation of the strike into Wednesday. SOEA secretary Martin Morales stated that there had been no further contact with the companies, and workers remain firm in their stance.
Gustavo Idigoras, head of CIARA, confirmed that the strike has paralyzed all soybean processing activities in Argentina, highlighting the significant impact of the labor action on the industry.