Commitments for a diversified Economy: The Insertion of Mendoza Grape (Argentina) in foreign Markets (1907-1930)

Abstract

The provincial economy was characterized by its specialization in the monoculture of vines and elaboration of common wines to supply to the national domestic market (Argentinean littoral). However, since the first decades of the xx century, the provincial economy was subject to cyclical crises, which encouraged the first proposals to diversify the provincial agribusiness. Among these, the most noteworthy proposals were the initiatives to commercialize fine grapes intended for fresh consumption in international markets. The objective of this article is to study the origins of this activity. In order to do that, we will reconstruct the path of the entrepreneurs who first forayed into the sector, see what were the strategies to position production, and will analyze the participation of the state agents involved in the advocacy and promotion of the commercialization activity.