The import licenses that Brazil recently imposed on apple and pear imports from Argentina continue to generate concern among the region's export sector.
Argentina's government raised the need to rescind the measure at Mercosur's meeting in Montevideo on Tuesday and Wednesday in view of the serious economic damage that it could provoke in this season's last stage.
The Brazilian authorities were not inclined to change the norm and said they would study the issue, which will be further discussed at the next meeting of Mercosur's Trade Commission that will be held on November 17 and 18.
According to a statement from Argentina's Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (CAFI), SENASA officials, the Ministry of Agriculture, Argentina’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Argentina’s Embassy in Brazil attended the meeting in Montevideo.
"A few days after the licenses were implemented, there is still much uncertainty regarding the timing, the way the measure will be carried out, and how the controls in each crossings will be, they stated.
It's worth recalling that Brazil launched this measure in early October, but that it only came into effect a week ago and it's still not clear how it should be implemented. According to entrepreneurs, the first licenses have had delays that range between 15 and 18 days. Thus, many exporters have decided not to move forward with sales operations to that destination until they have their license, which is generating a delay in loads and a serious cash flow problem for the activity.
"It is incomprehensible and illogical that Brazil asks for these import licenses when there are no problems whatsoever in the trade of apples and pears. It's even more disturbing that they apply this license to Mercosur countries, and not to other exporters such as Chile or the fruit that comes from Europe," said the CAFI in their statement.
It's clear that belonging to Mercosur nowadays is disadvantageous for the Argentine fruit exporters, as this measure is allowing third countries to enter their fruit into Brazil without these bureaucratic obstacles that, in addition to the competitive advantages in costs and prices, is affecting regional exports. According to information provided by the CAFI, pear exports have fallen by 10,000 tons when compared to last year, and 20,000 tons when compared to the year 2012.
Source: RioNegro.com.ar