Catamarca
Agro-Industry
Catamarca has the following sectors: Olive, Wine, Walnut, Artisanal and Livestock.
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Wine-producing
Departments
Tinogasta, Santa María and Pomán
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Olive-growing
Departments
Tinogasta, Capayán, Pomán and Belén
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Walnut-growing
Departments
Tinogasta, Capayán, Belén, Ambato, Paclín
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Spice-growing
Departments
Santa María, Belén y Tinogasta
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Native
food-producing
Every department
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Sweet
Departments
Tinogasta, Belén, Santa María, Pomán, Andalgalá, Capayán, Ambato, Paclín, Valle Viejo, Fray Mamerto Esquiú and Ancasti
Olive Sector
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Catamarca is the third largest olive-growing province in the country, after La Rioja and Mendoza, with 21% of the national surface.
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About 80% of the region is dedicated to olive oil production. While the primary olive variety in the province is Arbequina, in recent years, the Coratina variety, known for its more intense and spicy flavor, has shown successful adaptation, resulting in higher yields.
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Among the canning varieties, the main one is Manzanilla. Most of the primary production of olives for canning is processed in Arauco (La Rioja).
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The main destination of industrial production is the foreign market. Sales are usually made in bulk from industrial establishments.
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Intermediary agents play a crucial role, exemplified by companies like Molinos Río de la Plata or AGD (Aceitera General Deheza). These agents purchase olive oil production in bulk, subsequently fractionating and marketing it under their own brands in both domestic and international markets.
Viticulture Sector
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The vineyards in the province span around 2.5 thousand hectares, constituting 1.2% of the national total. Predominantly, rosé grape varieties cover 59% of the total area, followed by red grapes dedicated to winemaking at 29%. The remaining 12% is attributed to white grape varieties.
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The primary winegrowing regions are situated in the western departments, notably in two key production areas: the Tinogasta-Fiambalá axis and the Valles Calchaquíes region in Santa María, which has experienced significant development over the past two decades. To a lesser extent, wine production also occurs in the departments of Andalgalá, Pomán, and Belén.
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The lack of rainfall in the producing areas requires the application of supplementary irrigation.
Walnut Sector
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In the Northwest Argentina region, the provinces with walnut crops are Catamarca, La Rioja, Salta and Tucumán. Catamarca is positioned as the first producer in the region with 53.32% of the cultivated area.
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Around half of the production corresponds to criollo varieties with the remaining half originating from California. Similarly, half of the yield is sold with shells, while the other half is sold without shells.
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The primary production area is situated in the departments of Belén, comprising 33.22% of the planted area, followed by Ambato with 26%, where the majority of large farms are concentrated, and Pomán with 23%.
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Catamarca is the second province with walnut cultivation with 25.89% of the national area. According to the National Survey of Nuts (2018), the province registered 4 thousand hectares.
Artisanal Sector
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Various types of wool, including sheep, llama, vicuña, or alpaca, are treated and processed by artisans using techniques such as carding, spinning, twisting, and warping on rustic looms, along with two-needle weaving. These materials are then utilized to craft ponchos, gloves, rugs, stockings, blankets, and fabrics in natural colors such as brown, white, black, or gray.
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Expert artisans manually produce tapestries, bedspreads and rugs on vertical looms, in various styles: French, Persian, modern, Inca, and also inspired by designs from indigenous cultures of the region.
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While they are recognized in the country and around the world for their quality, the objective is to enhance both the quality and quantity of the product, adapting to the demands of markets interested in purchasing it.
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Three hundred textile artisans are part of the Ruta del Telar (Belén, Antofagasta de la Sierra, and Santa María), working with llama, alpaca, vicuña fiber, and sheep wool.
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Cotton projects in Capayán, Ambato, Paclín, and Fray Mamerto Esquiú focus on organic varieties.
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An artisanal carpet factory specializing in tapestries, bedspreads, and vertical loom carpets.
Livestock Sector
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Livestock farming in Catamarca stands out, particularly in the bovine sector. Small livestock is also relevant due to the vast territorial extent, the social role it plays in the community, and its contribution to the settlement of rural populations, especially in goat farming.
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As of March 2019, the province recorded 265.000 animals of cattle and 13.000 goats, together accounting for almost 90% of the provincial livestock. Formally, only bovine cattle are slaughtered. Only 15% of the livestock processed for slaughter is industrialized within the province; the rest is transported to neighboring provinces such as Córdoba, Santiago del Estero, and Salta.
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Formally, only cattle are slaughtered. Only 15% of the herd mobilized for slaughter is industrialized in the province, the rest moves to neighboring provinces such as Córdoba, Santiago del Estero and Salta.
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Goat farming is oriented towards the production of cabrito mamón. It is primarily a subsistence activity, characterized by small family-run operations, extensive nighttime enclosure systems, and challenges related to land tenure. To a lesser extent, cheese is produced, usually for personal consumption.
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It's worth mentioning camelid farming, which occurs in the puna, prepuna, and high Andean regions. This activity is primarily associated with the production of textile crafts and rural tourism. The predominant species are llamas and the wild vicuña. The genetic quality of the animals produced in the province is noteworthy.
Central Industrial Park
Situated just 6 km away from the city of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, this industrial park boasts an exceptional location within the region, with direct access to national roads connecting it seamlessly to neighboring provinces: La Rioja, Tucumán, Córdoba, and Santiago del Estero. Additionally, it enjoys proximity to the bi-oceanic corridor 'Paso de San Francisco,' linking Catamarca to Copiapó (Chile), featuring a fully paved Argentine stretch. Established in 1977, the industrial park currently houses 39 enterprises.
Available lots and lands
The industrial park has a total surface of 342 hectares, with approximately 70% already occupied. The green lots are currently available, including unallocated reserves.
Established companies
Benefits
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Extension of the Gross Income Tax
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Extension of the Vehicle Tax
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Extension of the Real Estate Tax
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Extension of the Stamp Tax
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Loan Rate Subsidy
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No cost land, under a commodatum agreement
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Work Benefits (Subsidy for new employees)
For more information: Go to the offices of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment – CAPE – Pavilion 27 or through:
Provincial Law N° 2968. Industrial Development
Goals
Promote the establishment of businesses to achieve greater economic development.
Beneficiaries
Eligible companies within the provincial territory include those establishing new industrial facilities, as well as those undertaking expansions, modernizations, and integrations of existing industrial facilities. Expansion, modernization, and integration are defined by projects meeting any of the following criteria:
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A minimum 30% increase in FIXED ASSETS associated with industrial activities within the province.
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A 20% or more increase in STAFF within the permanent workforce directly tied to industrial activities in the province.
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A more than 50% increase in LOCAL RAW MATERIAL, provided that the raw material constitutes at least 30% of the total utilized.
Tax relief percentages
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Year: 1-5 100%
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Year: 6-7-8 80%
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Year: 9-10-11 70%
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Year: 12-13 60%
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Year: 14-15 50%
Tax Benefits
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Gross Income Tax Exemption
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Stamp Tax Exemption
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Real Estate Tax Exemption
For a term of 15 consecutive years, with a decreasing scale.
Provincial Law of Economic Promotion and Fiscal Incentives N° 5238.
Preferred activities
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Projects involving activities not currently present in the local influence area that can have a significant impact on regional development.
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Industries covered by the Promotion of Knowledge Economy Regime (National Law No. 5238)
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Industrial ventures fostering productive innovation.
Purpose
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Promote the installation and/or expansion of existing ventures, which have a high impact on job creation.
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Encourage technical training of personnel in adequate working conditions.
Benefits
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Exemption from Tax on Gross Income for a period of up to TEN (10) years, up to one hundred percent (100%).
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Exemption from Real Estate Tax for a term of FIVE (5) years up to one hundred percent (100%).
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Exemption from automobile tax for a period of up to FIVE (5) years up to one hundred percent (100%).
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Exemption from stamp tax for a period of FIVE (5) years.
Interest rate bonus to the Economic Sector
Receivers
Individuals and legal entities with projects or plans for the sustainability and/or growth of their activities.
Goals
Provide interest rate incentives for bank loans to finance economic activities for companies already established or intending to establish themselves in the Province of Catamarca.
Benefits
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Reimbursement of up to 50% of the amounts disbursed as interest for loans intended to sustain and/or increase the activity of the beneficiary companies.
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The percentage of refund on interest will be determined based on the economic activity to be promoted/sustained.
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Duration of benefit of up to three (3) years.
Other Industrial parks
The Tinogasta Industrial Park, with an agroindustrial focus has opened.
Also, the creation of the following is in progress: the Andalgalá Industrial Park (former Huaco Station), with a focus on Industrial mining, the Londres-Belén Industrial Park and the Fiambalá Industrial Mining Park.
Grape Processor in
Tinogasta Industrial Park
Grape Processor in Tinogasta Industria Park
Because of its natural attributes, it is used for the production of food products for children, as well as for candy, gelatine, jelly, pharmaceutical products, and fruit in syrup.
The grapevine production in Catamarca is developed mainly in the departments of the West region of the province, in the axis between the districts of Tinogasta-Fiambalá and the Calchaquí Valley area, which consists of the Santa María department and the Hualfín district, Belén department.
Currently, the Tinogasta department consolidates 63% of the vine planted surface at provincial level and Santa María constitutes 27,5%. Nevertheless, in a minor scale, the growth of vines takes place in the Andalgalá, Pomán and Central Valley departments.
Grapevine cultivation has taken place almost since the beginnings of human civilization, which allows the improvement of technology for its nurture.
The grapevine is a humble plant that does not demand excessive care. Consequently, it is usually cultivated in less productive, poor in nutrients, rocky, slope soil.
In Catamarca, it is common to find it in lands of olives and fig trees. Currently, Argentine viniculture has a large role in the global viniculture context and has become a highly competitive exporter. The inclusion of Argentina in the international markets resulted in great innovation in the field, which led to the country’s update regarding its demands.
Due to this, and also to the low price of wine during the 1980s, that diversification of the grape products took place, and culminated in the production of Concentrated Grape Juice (CGJ).
This product, usually named “grape”, is of great importance as an additive to most massive consumption products.
The integrated districts in Tinogasta provided a total amount of 6.050.000 litres of grape from 7,9 tonnes of fresh fruit, and both integrated in Fiambalá district a total amount of 1.365.000 litres of grape from 1,8 tonnes of fresh fruit.
Finally, a total of 7.415.000 litres of grape produced were exported to South Africa. This commercial alternative prevents each producer from selling the product directly, without added value.
Employment
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Catamarca leads Argentina’s private sector employment statistics, registering an interannual increase of 12%.
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We are among the provinces that showed the greatest dynamism in the growth of private employment. This is equivalent to 3,207 jobs in this sector, surpassing values prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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These 3,207 registered private wage earners were the result of the effort and government policies strongly promoted in the industrial sector, the dynamism of public works and sectors with a strong reactivation, such as mining, commerce and services oriented to the generation of genuine employment and training of the labor force.
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Catamarca continues its growth trend with 0.9% monthly against October 2021. A trend that was maintained throughout the last 6 months, placing the province in the first place in terms of private employment generation proportionally.
Catamarca continues to lead private sector employment statistics in argentina
According to the monthly report of the Employment and Business Dynamics Observatory (OEDE) of the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security based on data from the Argentine Integrated Pension System (SIPA) published in February 2022 with data up to November 2021, Catamarca is among the first provinces with the highest dynamism in the growth of private employment.
The province experienced a monthly variation of 0.3%, which left a total number of 35,283 private salaried workers. Comparing the period of December 2022 with the same period of 2021, the growth in workers was 5,258. On the other hand, comparing December 2022 with September 2020, the growth amounts to 9,127 more private registered employees.
Thus, it is notable that the province of Catamarca continues to lead the ranking of year-on-year growth in private employment with an year-on-year percentage growth of 17.5%.
Provincial Program to promote private employment
Goals
To promote the creation of new genuine jobs, meeting the current demands and needs.
Benefits
Non-reimbursable financial assistance. (ANR)
First semester
Second semester
Up to 65% of the SMVyM at the settlement date.
Third semestre
Up to 50% of the SMVyM at the settlement date.
Validity
Eighteen (18) months from the date of the Ministerial Resolution approving the adhesion.
+info: Contact the offices of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Employment – CAPE – Pavilion 27 or through pymescatamarca@gmail.com
Up to 80% of the SMVyM at the settlement date.
Textile and Footwear promotion scheme for Catamarca y La Rioja
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ANR equivalent to a fixed amount of employer contributions and personal contributions for new hires:
15,000 in the first year
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Benefits: Fixed and decreasing NRA for 3 years for personnel incorporations. The same will be for the companies per new employee incorporated as of March 2021, as long as their payroll is not reduced during the process Limited exclusively to main activities of clothing and footwear manufacturing located in the provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja.
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Each province will have a quota of 500 workers covered by the measure.
9,700 in the second year
4,300 in the third year
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The ANR is increased by 10% in the case of hiring a female worker or a transvestite, transsexual or transgender worker:
17,300 in Year 1
11,900 in the second year
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The time of benefit obtained by each company will depend on the moment in which it registers and increases its payroll, and on the quota per province.
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Benefit expiration date: March 2024.
6,500 in the third year
There will be quarterly calls for companies to join the Register. Each call will have a duration of one month.
Employment generation promotion scheme for the Norte Grande Region
Employers of the private sector in the province of Catamarca and the rest of the provinces of the Norte Grande that hire new workers for an indefinite period of time as from April 1, 2021, will enjoy, with respect to each of the new incorporations, a reduction of their employer contributions in force for the social security subsystems.
Contribution reduction scale:
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70% in employer contributions during the first year.
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45% in the second year.
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20% in the third year.
It is established that this benefit will be increased by TEN (10) percentage points in the event that the new labor relations that are initiated employ women and transvestites, transsexuals and transgender persons,
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80% in employer’s contributions during the first year
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55% in the second year
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30% in the third year
Who is it aimed at?
Sectors of activity:
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Industrial
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Industrial Services
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Agribusiness