Energy and mining doubled their capacity to generate foreign currency in just two years

The Argentine foreign trade is undergoing an unprecedented structural transformation under the new economic paradigm, led by Javier Milei. According to a report from the Rosario Stock Exchange (BCR) based on data from the Central Bank of the Argentine Republic (BCRA), the country's export matrix has added new engines for generating foreign currency, achieving that the sectors of agroindustry, mining, and energy together generated a net income of USD 17.605 million during the first four months of 2026. This figure represents a historical record and a year-on-year increase of 20.9%, consolidating a change in the seasonal behavior of the foreign exchange market.

At the center of this phenomenon are mining and energy, sectors that have doubled their capacity to generate dollars in just two years. During the first four months of the year, both sectors liquidated the unprecedented amount of USD 5.568 million. This result not only exceeds by USD 2.098 million what was recorded in 2025, but also more than doubles the values of 2024, confirming that energy productive growth and favorable international prices are shaping a scenario of abundance for the nation.

When analyzing the sectoral detail, mining stands out as the sector with the highest relative growth, contributing USD 2.927 million, which represents a spectacular jump of 88% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the oil sector added USD 2.877 million, with a solid increase of 38%. In contrast, although the electricity and gas sector maintained slightly negative balances, these are far from the disastrous imbalances that the country suffered between 2022 and 2023 under the previous administration.

The traditional pillar of the country, agroindustry, continues to lead net liquidation with USD 12.037 million in the quarter, an 8.6% increase compared to 2025. Within this block, the oilseed and cereal complex contributed USD 7.590 million, while the sectors of food, beverages, and tobacco reached USD 3.236 million. It is noteworthy that the sectors of agriculture, livestock, and other primary products added USD 1.211 million, marking the highest value in the considered statistical series.

This currency bonanza is not a product of chance, but rather a deliberate strategy of the economic team led by the president of the BCRA, Santiago Bausili. The official bet aims for a diversified economy that allows for a balanced accumulation of reserves throughout the year, breaking the exclusive dependence on the main harvest. The key tool of this transformation is the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), which has already greenlit 19 projects and generated a net flow exceeding USD 700 million by April.

As a symbol of this new horizon of greatness, the Government recently approved the entry of the mining project Vicuña into the RIGI, considered the largest undertaking in the history of the sector in Argentina. With an initial investment of USD 9.700 million that could scale up to USD 18.000 million in a decade, the country is heading towards an era where private capital, and not public spending, is the true engine of the well-being of Argentines.