Argentina farmers eye election showdown with doubt and mistrust

BUENOS AIRES, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Argentina's farmers, some of the world's most important producers of soy, corn, wheat and beef, have some strong views on the country's polarized presidential election finalists: untrustworthy and unreliable.

The South American country's first round general vote on Sunday saw Peronist Economy Minister Sergio Massa win out ahead of radical libertarian Javier Milei, the two offering starkly different models for the embattled country ahead of a Nov. 19 run-off.

Business friendly runner Patricia Bullrich dropped out.

Horacio Deciancio, a farmer from the town of San Vicente in the Buenos Aires province, said producers had little faith in current economy chief Massa or the government despite some talk it could cut back on grains export taxes, a key demand.

"We have a total distrust of him," Deciancio said.

Massa is helming the economy amid its worst crisis in two decades, with negative reserves and triple-digit inflation, while Milei, an outsider with no experience in government, is pledging a "chainsaw" plan for the political and economic status quo.

"(Milei) has no management experience, we don't know where he's going to go and he also has a slightly unpredictable character," said Deciancio, adding he was an "unknown" entity, despite pledges to deregulate the economy and cut taxes.

Sara Gardiol, presi...
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