Misiones Church backs yerba producers, criticizes economic plan

In an unusual intervention since Javier Milei took office, the Catholic Church in Misiones province has backed small-scale yerba mate producers who are demanding higher prices for their raw product and a return to market regulation. Bishop Juan Rubén Martínez of Posadas met with representatives of these producers, emphasizing the widespread poverty among smallholders and farm laborers in the region.

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Our reality in Misiones means we have thousands of small producers and farm laborers who are all poor, in reality; it's something else when you go to the Sociedad Rural and hear from large landowners.

Martínez contrasted the struggles of these small producers, who operate on less than 50 hectares and account for 90% of the province's green leaf production, with the perspectives of large landowners. The producers are seeking a price of 500 pesos per kilogram of green leaf, significantly higher than the current payment of approximately 250 pesos. According to the Association of Agricultural Producers of Misiones (APAM), this price difference has resulted in an estimated 250 billion pesos in lost income for producers and local economies.

The bishop voiced his concerns about the economic impact on local communities, noting that widespread economic hardship affects businesses like supermarkets and shops. He directly criticized the national government's economic policies, stating, "Any economic project that does not include the people is useless to us. This is the reality." He stressed the need for economic stability achieved through inclusive policies, rather than macroeconomic figures that mask deepening poverty and social distress.

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Any economic project that does not include the people is useless to us. This is the reality.

While other religious figures in Misiones have been openly critical of the current administration, Bishop Martínez had previously remained politically neutral. This marks a significant shift in his public stance. Following the meeting with the bishop, the producers' representatives also met with Misiones Governor Hugo Passalacqua, urging him to declare a "yerba mate emergency" in the province and to promote local legislation to support the sector.

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We want stability, but in a situation where those numbers are achieved with the people. Without the people, with numbers that balance out on a macro level but where poverty and social situations are very bad, that damages us deeply.