The security forces carried out the clearing of pickets at the San José and Apóstoles checkpoints, in compliance with a court order.
The measure responds to the need to guarantee free circulation on the province's roads, in a context of growing unrest in the yerba mate sector.
The impact of DNU 70/2023 on the yerba mate sector
The conflict that led to the roadblocks is linked to the deregulation of the yerba mate market following the implementation of the Emergency Decree (DNU) 70/2023.
Before this change, the National Institute of Yerba Mate (INYM) set minimum prices for the raw material. However, with the elimination of that authority, the market sets values without the agency's intervention.
This new dynamic has created tensions between producers and mills, as the prices offered by the industry have decreased, benefiting the consumer.
Factors influencing the price of yerba mate
While some sectors have pointed to the provincial tax burden as a determining factor in the price drop, the Misiones government clarifies that primary production is not subject to the Gross Income tax, which has a rate of 1.5%.
The drop in purchase values mainly responds to the logic of supply and demand in a now liberalized market.
A new traceability system to improve marketing
To address this issue and provide greater transparency in commercial operations, the province is working on implementing a traceability system for yerba mate. This mechanism will allow producers to access key information about the prices and payment terms offered by different buyers, facilitating better decision-making.
Additionally, incentives are expected to be designed for those industries that guarantee more favorable purchasing conditions for producers.
An evolving conflict
The clearing of the pickets and the intervention of the security forces mark a chapter in a conflict that is not yet solved.
Meanwhile, producers demand better prices, the provincial government is betting on tools that promote competitiveness and transparency in the sector. The development of these measures and their impact on the yerba mate economy will be key in the coming months.
