Buenos Aires, December 2, 2025 – The municipal government of Cañuelas in Buenos Aires province has implemented a sharp increase in the municipal tax on livestock guides (guías), raising it by 124%. This measure, according to various sectors of the meat industry, has already led to a rise in final meat prices and created tension in the formal supply chain.
Minister of Economy Luis Caputo harshly criticized the decision, stating on X that "the only thing they know how to do is raise taxes and they still have a deficit."
The Argentine Chamber of Butchers and Suppliers (CAMYA) condemned the hike, stating that it causes a significant deterioration in the profitability of companies that process for local consumption, increases costs in the formal commercial circuit, reduces competitiveness, and aggravates the risks of informality in the meat chain.
The entity emphasized that "inflation grew by 25%, but the guide tax increased by 124%, five times more than the average prices in the economy."
This is compounded by the direct impact on consumers: the higher operational cost has already been passed on to final prices, affecting the value of meat at counters and butcher shops.
The chamber explained that the municipal tax has a central weight in the activity of butchers, as the use of guides is a mandatory requirement to move livestock to slaughter within the legal system.
According to sector data, the municipal guide fee went from $1,965 to $4,409, while in the same period, accumulated inflation was 24.8% and the annual rate reached 31.3%.
This cost, defined as a "direct operational expense," alters the cost structure of the sector and influences price formation throughout the entire production chain.
With the increase, according to CAMYA representatives, there was also a reduction in the operating margin and an adjustment in slaughter tariffs, which complicates small and medium-sized operators who were already facing a challenging economic scenario.
The episode reignited the debate over the fiscal pressure faced by production chains in municipalities across the province of Buenos Aires and opened a new political front amid the national discussion on competitiveness and the role of local governments in the tax structure.
The decision was made by Peronist Mayor Marisa Fassi, whose administration authorized the municipal tax increase in less than a year.
