July 11, 2024

Argentina appoints new agriculture secretary

Argentina's government has named lawyer and agricultural producer Sergio Iraeta as the country's new agriculture secretary on July 8 following the resignation of Iraeta's predecessor, Fernando Vilella.

Iraeta, who previously served under Vilella as the agricultural production and forestry undersecretary, will continue to work to "reduce the state's bureaucratic structure and enhance the capabilities of agricultural producers," the country's economy ministry said in a statement.

Argentina is one of the world's two largest exporters of soybean oil and soybean meal and a top global producer of corn and wheat. The libertarian government of Argentine President Javier Milei sees the sector as key to shoring up the country's foreign reserves amid a severe economic crisis.

The government also renamed the agency formerly known as the Secretariat of Bioeconomy to the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries.

- Reuters