Trade monitoring
Report by the WTO Secretariat
The production and exportation of agricultural products are of particular importance for the Argentine economy. Argentina is one of the world’s leading exporters of soya beans and soyabean by-products maize and sunflowers. It is also a major producer and exporter of other cereals beef (bovine meat) and dairy products. Value chains have been created for soya beans maize meat sunflowers dairy products and other products which significantly contribute to GDP and employment and are major sources of foreign currency. Since Argentina’s previous review in early 2013 the production sectors linked to exports particularly agriculture have been the strongest performers. In general the external sector has continued to play an important role in the Argentine economy. Despite the contraction in exports and the economy in general during the review period exports have not only contributed to maintaining the balance of payments and preventing a further decline in GDP but have also been a significant source of public sector financing.
Introduction
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Report by Argentina
This trade policy review of Argentina is taking place at a time when the world is feeling the enormous impact of COVID-19 on health-related matters which has had economic trade and social repercussions throughout much of the world. This situation has greatly affected the world’s economic and trade performance particularly that of developing countries. In the case of Argentina this impact is particularly noticeable in the final stage of the period under analysis.
Trade Policy Review: Argentina 2021
“Trade Policy Reviews" analyse the trade policies and practices of each member of the WTO. The reviews consist of three parts: an independent report by the WTO Secretariat a report by the government and the concluding remarks by the Chair of the WTO’s Trade Policy Review Body. The opening section - "key trade facts" - provides a visual overview of the WTO member's major exports/imports main export destinations origins for its imports and other key data. This edition looks into the trade practices of Argentina.