Argentina: Barter networks spread as inflation erodes purchasing power

Community barter initiatives, originating in Pilar, are expanding across Argentina as neighbors exchange clothes for food to cope with economic hardship. The informal networks, coordinated via messaging apps and in-person meetings, signal deepening distress among households, particularly women, amid persistent inflation. This reflects a grassroots adaptation to currency devaluation and rising costs, underscoring the severity of the economic crisis.