BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentina’s Senate has narrowly rejected a grain-export tax package whose proposal has led to nationwide farm strikes and regional food shortages.

Lawmakers rejected the government-backed bill 37 votes to 36 in a marathon session that ended early Thursday.

The lower house approved the tax hikes earlier this month and the Senate’s approval was the last obstacle for ratification. It is unclear what steps the executive will take now.

President Cristina Fernandez decreed a more than 10 percent sliding-scale increase in export taxes on soy and other grains in March.

Farmers launched strikes and road blocks to protest the measure, forcing the president to agree to submit the tax package to a vote in congress.