BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA — Benefiting from high grain prices, Argentina exported $32.8 billion in grains and their derivatives in 2021, a record amount of earnings since the start of the century, Reuters reported, citing the country’s CIARA-CEC grains exporters and oilseed crushing chamber.

The sector exported $2.68 billion in grains and derivatives in December alone, the chamber noted in its report.

Argentina, the world’s top supplier of soymeal and livestock feed, particularly for hogs and poultry in Europe and Southeast Asia, is also a major exporter of corn, wheat and raw soybeans. Farm-export dollars are a key source of revenue for Argentina.

Challenges included dry weather that hurt crops in 2021, and low water levels on the Parana River, the country’s main transportation route for grain cargo ships, the chamber said.