Economy

Friday, March 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine grain, beef farmers extend protest; diary joins

Argentine farmers protesting higher grain and oilseeds export taxes have decided to extend their two days strike until next Wednesday because there has been “no signals or reply from the government” to their request to meeting authorities. Dairy farmers announced they were joining the strike.
Thursday, March 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Brazilian package to boost exports and prop the ailing dollar

Brazil levied a new tax on foreign capital and announced tax breaks for exporters Wednesday in an effort to slow the Brazilian Real's gains against the US dollar which has appreciated 62% against the greenback in three years.
Thursday, March 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fears of overheating as Brazilian economy grows 5.4% in 2007

Brazil's economy expanded a greater-than-expected 6.2% in the fourth quarter, the fastest year-on-year quarterly expansion since June 2004, helping the overall 2007 expansion to reach 5.4%, boosted by consumer spending and business investment.
Thursday, March 13th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fifth year running Argentine economy grows above 8%

Argentina's GDP expanded 8.7% in 2007, after having grown 9.1% in the fourth quarter, up 1.9% from the previous quarter announced Thursday in Buenos Aires the country's Statistics and Census Office, Indec.
Wednesday, March 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Central banks try again to roof-patch housing-credit crunch

The world's largest central banks have launched their latest coordinated action to calm jittery credit markets. The US Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and central banks in the UK, Canada and Switzerland will inject billions of dollars into money markets.
Wednesday, March 12th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentina: grain and oilseeds export levies become permanent

Argentina hiked export taxes on soy and sunflower seed products by between seven and nine percentage points and decreased levies on corn and wheat exports by one point to expand supplies of key food staples in the domestic market.
Tuesday, March 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Subtle message from strong Euro Trichet to Federal Reserve

European Central Bank President Jean Claude Trichet said he's “concerned” about the Euro appreciation after the currency kept hovering on record rates against the US dollar. It's the first time Trichet has specifically expressed worry about the Euro vis-ÃÂ -vis other currencies since November.
Tuesday, March 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Mercosur leading role in China's increased beef imports

The United States Foreign Agricultural Service forecasts China's 2008 beef imports to increase nearly four-fold to 30.000 tons boosted by strong domestic demand and the Olympic Games peak next August and an overall domestic short supply.
Tuesday, March 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine mining industry angry with change of rules

Argentina's mineral exports in 2007 fell 9.6% on the year in terms of volume but rose 22.2% in terms of value, according to a report from IES Consultores published in the Buenos Aires press. Exports last year were valued at 2.8 billion US dollars, with copper making up 62.6% of shipments, IES said.
Tuesday, March 11th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
In Olympic year China's inflation seems set for a record

China's consumer prices index jumped in February to an 11-year high of 8.7%, presenting Beijing's leaders with a big economic headache in the run-up to the Olympic Games. Twelve months inflation in January was 7.1% and economists had expected a February figure in the range of 8 percent.