Industrial sectors of Entre Ríos presented their problems to the provincial government
Within the framework of the General Assembly of the Industrial Union of Entre Ríos (UIER), representatives of the different industrial sectors of the province presented their particular problems at this juncture. On this occasion, they shared their particular problems and challenges, in the presence of the Minister of Treasury and Finance Julio Panceri, the Minister of Productive Development Guillermo Bernaudo, as well as the Secretaries of Industry, Energy, Science and Technology, Environment and the Industry Directorates. , Foreign Trade and Mining, which took note of the demands.
Raúl Marsó (poultry), Héctor Eberle (egg farming), Sebastián Bouzada (pig), Rodrigo Cochet (dairy), Agustín Arias (software), Claudio Lambert and Leonardo Schepens (metallurgy) and Sebastián Corso (forestry industry) agreed to warn about the roads, energy, tax competitiveness conditions, financing, among other issues common to value chains.
Poultry farming
Raúl Marsó, from Las Camelias, warned that there is great concern about the state of the roads and pointed out that companies are contributing materials to cover emergencies. Therefore, he stressed the importance of addressing this problem. In addition, he recalled the impact of the Avian Influenza on the drop in exports, but highlighted the sector’s provision to the domestic market. Regarding this disease, he highlighted the need to reopen markets that remain closed, such as China. In another order, he warned about the lack of financing for farms, whose genuine investment would be 300 million dollars to restore those that are not in condition and, eventually, advance growth. He also highlighted the problem of energy provision and distribution, which will be imperative to solve for future growth. Finally, he warned about the risks of competing with imported products without equal conditions and also mentioned the need to resolve the issue of environmental certifications.
Oviviculture
Héctor Eberle, from Tecnovo, recalled the impact of the Avian Flu on the sector, whose disease has dissipated, there are still some closed destinations such as Chile that are making progress in health terms. In addition, he pointed out the growth in shell egg consumption, but that it is reaching a limit in the country. He also noted a drop in exports in 2023 and the need to recover clients with better competitive exchange rate conditions. In that sense, he warned of the considerable increase in production costs and non-salary labor costs. He also warned about the risks of opening imports without being competitive and referred to the lack of credit at international rates to make new investments, the cost of which is 27 dollars per hen. Finally, he insisted on the need for solutions to productive paths.
Pig farming
Sebastián Bouzada, from the Chamber of Pork Producers of Entre Ríos (Capper), first mentioned the health problem that affects corn, one of the most important inputs in the sector, as a result of the scourge of the “leafhopper.” Then, he warned that producers are working at a loss, whose situation is more complicated for the small ones who are leaving the business. He predicted, in this regard, that there will be a rapid recovery as occurred in the pandemic. On the other hand, it highlighted the difficulties in going out to export due to cost problems. He also pointed out that the issue of roads, energy and financing is transversal to the chains. He insisted on the need to have tools for sustainable production.
Dairy
Rodrigo Cochet, from La Sibila, agreed on the need to improve rural roads, which has also been affecting the lack of growth in the Entre Ríos dairy basin in recent years. He indicated the importance of addressing the efficiency and competitiveness of companies in the sector in the face of current challenges. In addition, he highlighted the study prepared in the sector that exposes the problems in detail and was made available to the provincial government.
Metalworking transport
Claudio Lambert, of Lambert y Lambert, warned of falling sales levels, with no short-term prospects for an immediate recovery. He noted that the problems mentioned by the rest of the sectors are also transversal. Finally, he warned about the risks of opening imports to products from Brazil, due to the difficulties in competing in costs and volume.
Metallurgical
Leonardo Schepens, from the Association of Metallurgical Industrialists of Entre Ríos (Adimer), acknowledged that in his sector the drop in sales exceeds 20%. He warned about the high dollar costs of basic inputs to produce. He also warned about the deficient paths and the need to improve educational quality in technical schools, with greater links with the productive sectors. Finally, he pointed out the challenge of increasing the supply of his products to the rest of the Entre Ríos value chains as an opportunity for growth.
Lumber
Sebastián Corso, from Maringa Maderas, recognized a 40% drop in the level of activity and anticipated that there will not be an immediate recovery. He mentioned the challenge of increasing exports with value addition. He also agreed on the problem of productive paths and the need for greater energy with lower costs to transform matter, with the objective of competing against Corrientes and Misiones, which has lower energy costs. He highlighted the need for credit to make investments in the face of expansion opportunities.
Finally, Agustín Arias, from Argeniss Software, warned about the situation of the knowledge industry, with positive numbers but a downward trend with respect to the dynamics that had been marking the sector. He pointed out the crisis of confidence in technology development worldwide. On the other hand, he spoke about digital paths, with the need in the province for fiber optic connectivity so as not to stop investments in the rest of the value chains that require the service, just as the public, university and social sectors demand. of civil society. He also referred to the challenges in education, especially in knowing how to take advantage of new Artificial Intelligence technologies. Finally, he highlighted the existing talent in the region, but whose link needs to be strengthened with the public sector.
