The poultry company Elepeve, located in Río Grande, was forced to close its doors due to insurmountable financial problems following the crisis triggered by avian influenza. This situation affected 35 direct jobs and 15 indirect jobs, including cleaning, logistics, and cafeteria staff. The company cited legal issues related to Law 19,640, which provided tax benefits to industries in Tierra del Fuego.
Elepeve's experience reflects a troubling trend, as significant company closures have been reported in other countries such as Spain, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru during the same period. In Spain, for example, there were 355,028 business closures in 2022. Additionally, the textile company Barpla, also based in Tierra del Fuego, announced the closure of its plant, affecting 50 workers, some of whom are still in the process of claiming their severance payments.
Since the assumption of Javier Milei's government, nearly 39,000 companies, mostly SMEs, have closed in Argentina, with the City of Buenos Aires and Tierra del Fuego being the most affected areas. Despite attempts at subsidies from the provincial government, many companies have not managed to recover from the crisis, as is the case with Elepeve. The company's director, Pablo Romero, explained that they could not overcome existing debts or access new credits, despite being a benchmark in technological innovation in the sector.
The poultry sector in the region is facing significant challenges following the mass culling of birds, and Elepeve, known for its forefront in efficiency and sustainability, was unable to continue. The lack of contingency plans and the sector's fragility in the face of health crises like avian influenza have exposed the need for support policies and revitalization measures.
The closure of Elepeve, which had been a symbol of innovation and self-sustainability in the region, reflects the harsh reality of the poultry sector. Authorities are evaluating new incentives to reactivate production and repopulate the affected poultry farms. The company, with decades of leadership in poultry production, succumbed to the crisis, leaving 10 workers unemployed and highlighting the difficult situation facing the industry in the region.
