BUENOS AIRES (Dow Jones)--Argentine soy prices were up on the week at the
Rosario Grain Exchange Thursday, in line with the Chicago Board of Trade, but
uncertainty surrounding a Congressional vote on grain export taxes weighed on
wheat and corn prices, according to analysts.

  "Prices were mixed in line with Chicago and the local demand and supply
situation," the Rosario Exchange said.

  "The export tax debate also affected the market and each day appears farther
from reaching a solution," the Exchange said.

  In March, the government introduced the controversial grain export duty
scheme, which fixed price brackets with each higher bracket carrying a higher
tax. The plan sharply raised the export tax on soybeans, Argentina's leading
crop.

  Farmers have sporadically blocked traffic in an on-again, off-again strike
since March, causing food shortages in the cities and cutting off grain
exports.

  Farmers lifted their strike last month and shifted efforts to lobbying
Congress to vote down the tax.

  While the government seems to have secured the votes needed to pass the
export tax bill, the agriculture committee continues to debate the tax, and
delays are causing concern.

  The committee must vote before sending the bill to the floor, and a House
vote isn't expected until next week, according to local press reports.

  The government has modified the bill to exempt a larger amount of small-scale
farmers, but farm groups have called the move insufficient.

   Soy


  "Soy prices are rising in Chicago and local sellers are waiting for better
prices before making deals," the Exchange said.

  Spot soy traded at ARS910 ($300.58) per metric ton at the Rosario Grain
Exchange Thursday, up from ARS900 last Thursday.

   Corn


  Corn prices eased on low demand from exporters, the Exchange said.

  Spot corn traded for ARS520 per ton Thursday, down from ARS530 last week.

    Wheat


  Local millers paid ARS650 for wheat with a minimum gluten count of 26, down
from ARS680 a week ago.