BUENOS AIRES—Supporters of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner planned to march on Wednesday in support of the government's decision to increase taxes on soy exports, which has sparked a nearly three-week strike by farmers.
Union and social groups allied with the government will hold an afternoon rally in front of the presidential palace in downtown Buenos Aires as thousands of farmers keep up their strike.
Local media said organizers were hoping to draw as many as 80,000 people.
The strike, which began on March 13, has caused food shortages, paralyzed grain exports and touched off a major political conflict for Fernandez. Last week, it also provoked pot-banging protests by middle-class Argentines in support of the farmers.
On Monday, Fernandez offered some concessions to farmers but ruled out doing away with the new sliding scale tax scheme, the main demand from farmers.
Farmers said Fernandez' measures did not go far enough and announced they would continue striking through Wednesday.
The farmers are protesting the new tax plan that replaced a fixed tax of 35 percent and boosted levies on soy bean exports to 44 percent at current prices.
The protests blocking highways and holding back farm goods have made beef, dairy, chicken and produce scarce in the capital, Buenos Aires.
Tonnes of grains also have been held back from port, forcing export companies to renege on some contracts and disrupting sales to China and Europe. Dozens of grain ships are idled as they await loading in ports.
Argentina is the world's third-biggest soy exporter and a leading supplier of corn, beef, and wheat.
Fernandez has said the higher taxes on soy exports will help control inflation on food goods in Argentina and redistribute wealth in the country.
Feeds