Simon Ng Amidst a concerning decline in its reserves, the Central Bank of Argentina has taken steps to accelerate the sale of its Chinese yuan holdings, utilizing a swap line provided by the Chinese government, while simultaneously striving to acquire dollars. Local sources indicate that the country’s reserves have now reached their lowest point in eight years.
Central Bank of Argentina Relies on Chinese Yuan for Support
To sustain its operations, the Central Bank of Argentina has recently intensified the sale of Chinese yuan acquired through an approved swap line. This $10 billion loan has allowed the bank to alter its internal market dynamics, enabling the sale of yuan to domestic companies for financing imports, while also engaging in dollar purchases to restore some liquidity in foreign currency.
On July 10, the bank purchased $37 million worth of dollars, but had to sell 790 million yuan, resulting in a loss of nearly $72 million from its reserves on that day alone. Similarly, on July 11, the bank bought $9 million, but had to sell 770 million yuan to national importers, incurring a loss of $98 million.
Economists acknowledge that the reliance on the Chinese yuan has acted as a lifeline for Argentina, allowing the country to make a partial payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in June. However, estimates indicate that half of the available swap amount ($5 billion) has already been depleted.
Reserves Reach Historically Low Levels
The cash flow situation in the country is not sustainable in the long term, agree analysts, as the net reserves of the Central Bank of Argentina are approaching historically low levels. According to Argentine newspaper La Nacion, reserves have decreased by $18 billion in 2023, dropping from $44.5 billion in January to $26.4 billion in July.
The net reserves of the Central Bank of Argentina are currently in negative territory, with the bank requiring nearly $6 billion to balance its obligations and holdings. Commenting on this, analysts from Portfolio Personal Inversiones remarked:
“We are witnessing a level of reserves that has not been observed since at least the late 1980s.”
The country is now actively seeking to expedite a new agreement with the IMF to accelerate the disbursement of at least $4 billion. Analyst Gustavo Ber suggests that this move would extend the republic’s commercial functionality. Nevertheless, even if successful, the firm anticipates the country’s net reserves to plummet to -$8 billion before the primary ballots in August, which will determine the presidential candidates.
We invite you to share your thoughts on the pivot to the Chinese yuan and the depleting reserves of the Central Bank of Argentina in the comments section below.
Table Of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about reserves
What is the Central Bank of Argentina doing to address the dwindling reserves?
The Central Bank of Argentina is accelerating the sale of its Chinese yuan holdings and purchasing dollars simultaneously to address the shrinking reserves. They are utilizing a swap line provided by the Chinese government to access yuan and financing imports, while also acquiring dollars to restore liquidity in foreign currency.
How low have the reserves of the Central Bank of Argentina fallen?
The reserves of the Central Bank of Argentina have reached their lowest levels in eight years. As of July, the net reserves have decreased by $18 billion in 2023, dropping from $44.5 billion in January to $26.4 billion.
How has the pivot to the Chinese yuan helped Argentina’s economy?
The pivot to the Chinese yuan has served as a lifeline for Argentina’s economy. It has enabled the country to complete part of a payment to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in June. However, estimates suggest that around half of the available swap amount ($5 billion) has already been spent.
Is Argentina seeking assistance from the IMF to address the situation?
Yes, Argentina is actively seeking a new agreement with the IMF to expedite the disbursement of at least $4 billion. This is intended to provide a boost to the country’s liquidity and address the challenges posed by the dwindling reserves.
What is the outlook for Argentina’s net reserves in the near future?
The firm expects Argentina’s net reserves to reach -$8 billion before the primary ballots in August, which will determine the presidential candidates. This indicates a further decline in reserves if additional measures are not taken to address the situation.
More about reserves
- Central Bank of Argentina
- International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- Argentina’s Reserves and Economic Indicators – Central Bank of Argentina
- Argentina’s Economic Challenges – Reuters
- China-Argentina Swap Line Agreement
- Argentina’s Foreign Reserves Hit Lowest Level in 15 Years
- Argentina Seeks New IMF Agreement
- Argentina’s Economic Crisis
5 comments
omg this is a big problem, central bank of argentina selling yuan and buying dollars, reserves going down, not good at all!
argentina’s reserves hitting rock bottom, can’t sustain this for long. they need that IMF agreement, like, yesterday! fingers crossed for a turnaround.
argentina’s economy in a mess, reserves sinking fast. hope the new IMF deal works out, but they’ve already spent half the yuan swap. not looking good, folks.
argentina’s in deep trouble, low reserves, pivot to yuan helped a bit but running outta options, gotta secure that new IMF agreement fast!
dwindling reserves, yikes! central bank playing with fire, buying dollars, selling yuan, hoping for an IMF lifeline. tough times ahead for Argentina.