Once as unthinkable as Cuba importing sugar, Argentina is faced with the prospect of importing wheat. And to rub salt into wounded national pride, Argentina, formerly dubbed the world’s bread basket, could need to turn to neighbouring Uruguay to replenish a near-empty basket. The Argentine government of President Cristina Fernández has reacted in belligerent fashion, blaming wheat producers for price speculation, and digging up a tough old law which would punish suspected hoarders with a prison sentence. Opposition legislators, however, claim that the government is allowing wheat contraband from Uruguay to enter the country in a desperate bid to push bread prices down ahead of key mid-term legislative elections in November.End of preview - This article contains approximately 1304 words.
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