The opening night of Expoagro 2026 made it very clear, once again, who is who in the power structure that defines the direction of the Argentine economy and politics.
At the traditional dinner of authorities held at the Colonial Hotel in San Nicolás, the best from the business, banking and political world gathered to toast agricultural businesses, while the mainstream media applauded from the front row.
Banks and big media, inevitable partners
The presence of the presidents of Banco Provincia, Juan Cuattromo, and Banco Nación, Darío Wasserman, accompanied by their boards of directors, left no doubts about the central role of the financial circuit in the agro-export business. They were joined by directors of YPF Agro and representatives of the most important credit institutions in the country. ICBC, Galicia, BBVA, Credicoop, Macro and Santander were also present.
As in every edition, the organization was carried out by Exponenciar, the company of Clarín and La Nación, whose directors were also present. It is not surprising, taking into account that Expoagro is the showcase where these media raise the flag of agribusiness businesses, as strategic partners of concentrated capital and the State.
The CEO of Exponenciar (the organizer of the event) Martín Schvartzman was accompanied by the leaders of agricultural entities such as Carlos Castagnani (CRA), Lucas Magnano (Coninagro), Andrea Sarnari (FAA) and Marcos Pereda (vice president of the Rural Society).
In total, more than 700 exhibitors, 12 financial entities and around thirty agricultural technology companies took over the scene.
In step with agropower
In addition to the presence of large banking entities, companies such as YPF and large media outlets such as Clarín and La Nación, the event brought together important political leaders. The governor of Santa Fe, Maximiliano Pullaro, once again asked for support from the countryside and insisted: “We understand that the withholdings must end.”
The 0% rates in dollars and the credit lines promoted by Santa Fe acted as a magnet for hundreds of producers who took over the banks’ stands. The interest in these financing tools shows how agribusiness seeks to take advantage of a very favorable scenario to capitalize for the next campaign.
But in addition to Pullaro, there were two presences that caught everyone’s attention. Former president Mauricio Macri and Axel Kicillof shared the main table of the event, in a new attempt by the Buenos Aires governor to be friendly with the red circle and rebuild relations with the rural employers’ associations.
There was also no shortage of production ministers from Entre Ríos, Córdoba and Buenos Aires, and the usual parade of officials from INTA and Senasa, in addition to the vice-governor of Salta, Antonio Marocco, the local mayor Santiago Passaglia and the secretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Nation Sergio Iraeta.
More than just a photo
The photo of Kicillof – flanked by Macri and the agricultural bosses – is not an anecdote. The Buenos Aires governor has just promoted incentive and benefit regimes for large investors, aligned with the direction of big capital and far from any real confrontation with the employers. Thus, both Peronism and the right end up sharing the table with the owners of the country, while the situation of the working class and small producers remains completely off the agenda.
The event, organized with great fanfare by Clarion y The Nationonce again brought to the fore the alliance between economic power, the banks, the big media and the traditional political leadership. Agreements that later translate into benefits, exemptions and a policy designed for a few who have been benefiting strongly from the economic policy of the Milei government, which they have been enthusiastically supporting.
Source: www.laizquierdadiario.com
