Mate Producers Caravan Arrives in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina

At about 1:30 p.m., a long line of vehicles—trucks loaded with tractors, vans and buses—arrived at the intersection of routes 101 and 12 in Puerto Iguazú, Argentina. The group, made up of mate producers and workers, identified itself as the "Tractorazo" caravan.

Jorge Skripczuk, a producer from Aristóbulo del Valle, confirmed the caravan’s presence and described the length of the line, noting that producers traveled on buses.

The purpose of the mobilization was to protest the deregulation of the sector, initiated by Emergency Decree 70/2023, which changed the operation of the National Institute of Mate (Inym) and caused the price of green leaf to drop to US$ 70, a figure far below the previous US$ 400. According to the organizers, the measure affected about 12,000 producers, dryers and manufacturers, leading to price declines, higher production costs and delayed payments.

In addition to producers, the protest included unions and guilds such as ATE and CTA, as well as social, political and student organizations.

Source: La Voz de Misiones https://lavozdemisiones.com/provinciales/caravana-de-yerbateros-llego-a-puerto-iguazu