The Financialization Process of Agricultural Cooperatives: The Monte Maíz Agricultural Cooperative (2002–2008)

Abstract

Agribusinesses brought about a significant shift in the logic of reproduction of productive units and agricultural enterprises in the Pampean region of Córdoba. Within this framework, the aim of this article is to analyze the business strategies of the Monte Maíz Agricultural Cooperative Ltd., particularly between 2001 and 2008. Located in the heart of Argentina’s core agricultural zone, this cooperative experienced a complex and conflictive process of conversion toward agribusiness, during which financial strategies gained renewed importance. We argue that focusing on a smaller scale allows for a more nuanced understanding of the processes under study. To provide historical depth to the strategies implemented by the cooperative in this context, we briefly outline its trajectory as a business organization. The analysis draws on a combination of quantitative and qualitative sources, including agricultural censuses, national and provincial statistics, institutional documents, and interviews with key informants related to the case.