The agricultural machinery industry in Argentina: From restructuring to internationalization?

Abstract

This paper sets out to show that, having undergone restructuring at a microeconomic and sectoral level, the agricultural machinery industry in Argentina depends for growth on higher exports and further progress towards internationalization, which are strategic goals for the largest firms. Given the dynamism of global demand for this type of machinery, the conclusion is that the sector can increase its sales in export markets, where some of its products are competing well. The behaviour of domestic demand will be critical, and this largely depends on the profitability of Argentine agriculture. To internationalize further, the sector will have to overcome certain limitations, largely technological in nature, while receiving support from government programmes and assistance from employers' associations and science and technology institutions.