Argentine wheat policy sows uncertainty among farmers

Wheat farmers and exporters in Argentina say the government should announce new-crop export quotas as soon as possible if it wants to spur sowing and lock in high global prices after years of declining output.

Argentina is a major world supplier of wheat, soy and corn at a time when consumer nations are clamoring for South American grains to compensate for disappointing harvests in breadbaskets Russia, the United States and Australia.

However, the government limits wheat and corn exports to ensure ample domestic food supplies. Growers say the policy keeps them guessing about how much wheat to plant and some have swapped to alternative crops that can be exported freely like soy and beer barley.