Sawt Falasteen - Argentina revives special 'soy dollar' to boost reserves

Argentina is one of the world's largest exporters of soybeans and soy oil. However, with year-on-year inflation of 88 percent and constant fears of currency devaluation, farmers often hoard their supplies waiting for a better rate.

The plan is to "increase reserves so that the economy reaches the end of the year with $10 billion available," Secretary of Industry Jose de Mendiguren told Futurok radio.

The incentive kicks off Monday and will last until December 30.

Instead of selling soy products for the tightly-controlled official rate of around 166 pesos per dollar, producers will receive a much higher 230 pesos.

A similar preferential soy rate was applied in September, when soybean sales earned the country almost $8 billion.

Argentina imposed a raft of exchange controls in 2019 in its constant battle to keep dollars in the country and fight low foreign exchange reserves.

These include blocking citizens from buying more than $200 in greenbacks per month.

This has led to a multitude of dollar exchange rates. Demand for scarce dollars is so high that they are exchanged for over 300 pesos at the "Blue Dollar" rate on the streets of Buenos Aires.

The "Qatar Dollar" imposes higher taxes on those using their credit cards abroad -- such as those spending valuable dollars at the World Cup in Doha.

Meanwhile, the "Coldplay Dollar" was the name given to the higher rate applied to entrance tickets to international shows.

"Nobody wants various exchange rates, the economy must be normalized and stabilized. But it is a solution, a tool for the exceptional circumstances Argentina is experiencing," De Mendiguren said.

Argentines have so little faith in their currency that many exchange it into dollars as fast as they can and store it in safes or under their mattresses.

Under an International Monetary Fund deal to refinance debt of more than $44 billion, Argentina must boost its international reserves and reduce its fiscal deficit.

R.Halabi--SF-PST