The Argentine producers and exporters of fruits that have been affected by competitiveness problems and external markets on the fall received yet more bad news yesterday. Brazil decided to suspend imports of pears, apples and quinces from Argentina after detecting the codling moth pest in 15 shipments.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil, official and private controls adopted by Argentina were not effective to ensure that the products sent to Brazil were pest free.
"Brazil can't compromise in matters of health protection and control of pests and diseases. We have zero tolerance, regardless of whom the trading partner is," said the Minister of Agriculture, Katia Abreu, in a statement.
The codling moth, Cydia pommonella, also known as the pear and apple worm, is an endemic pest in the country affecting pome fruits and walnuts from the Cuyo and the Northwest.
The National Health and Food Quality Service (SENASA) has a national program to suppress the disease, with private sector participation, because it can cause severe economic damage.
Brazil, one of the main destinations for Argentina's fruit, is free from the disease since last year and decided to suspend shipments at the risk of infecting their fruit.
In a statement, the Ministry of Agriculture of Brazil said that the Argentine government postponed a Brazilian inspection audit that was scheduled for March until April 1st. The visit is part of a risk mitigation program agreed by both countries. However, the Brazilian agency stressed, "it is necessary to maintain the agreed date so we can inspect the orchards and packing plants."
According to the official statement, the ban will be in effect until the Argentine system of controls is re-evaluated.
According to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry and Local Foreign Trade, Brazilian imports of Argentine apples in 2014 amounted to 46.1 million tons, worth $48.8 million dollars.
Exports of apples and pears originating in Rio Negro's Upper Valley, the main producing area of the country, had a drop of 30% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year.
The fall of key markets, such as Russia and Brazil, and the devaluation of the real has affected Argentine exporters. In addition, producers held protests last month demanding an increase in the fruits' average prices. As a result, for the first time in years, there were no exports of pears and apples from the Patagonian ports in January and the economic situation in the region continued to deteriorate.
Source: lanacion.com.ar