Argentina Reaches Deal with Striking Pilots to Resume Grain Exports

Argentina's government has reached an agreement with striking maritime pilots to reduce their fees by 20%. The deal should ease congestion at ports along the Parana River, a crucial artery for exports of soy, corn, and wheat. Maritime pilots had halted services on Saturday in protest over a government move to deregulate the sector.

The disruption to port traffic had raised concerns about fresh delays to farm shipments, particularly since Argentina is one of the world's top agricultural suppliers. The country is the largest exporter of soybean oil and soybean meal and a major supplier of corn and wheat.

Under Tuesday's agreement, pilots will resume navigation services immediately, according to the government. Authorities have also suspended the deregulation measure affecting the sector and will open talks with pilots and other state agencies to review the issue.