General Aspects of Argentina's agroindustrial concentration and foreignization

Abstract

This article offers an overview of Argentina's agroindustrial system, highlighting its characteristics of concentration and transnationalization. The article sets out to identify the general characteristics of the Argentine agroindustrial system and to problematize the consequences of concentration, the transnationalization of local economic groups and the strategies of MNCs for economic development. Two central agroindustrial complexes (meat packing plants and oilseeds) and two peripherical complexes (cotton and sugar) are taken into account in the analysis. In methodological terms, this work is based on the review of academic and sectorial bibliography, in addition to the consultation of statistical sources from public and private organizations. Finally, the conclusions show that, on the one hand, agribusiness TNCs and local economic groups displace or subordinate smaller players. On the other hand, the association of the local ruling classes with international capital networks conditions the type of agricultural policy that may be outlined by the State.