The Government of Mexico decided this week to eliminate tariffs on Argentinian apples. Prior to this measure, the apples paid a 23% tax of the CIF value (goods at the port of destination) to enter this important market.
This good news comes at a critical time for the Valley, which has had decreasing production and quality issues.
The decree, which was signed by President Peña Nieto and was published in the Official Gazette of Mexico this week, states that the lowering of tariffs for apple and other products responds to "the implementation of the National Development Plan that seeks to guarantee the effective social rights for all people and ensure Mexicans have adequate food and nutrition."
The measure also aims to keep the market supplied in face of the potential conflicts that Mexico may have with its main trading partner - the United States. The decree makes mention of a window of purchase and import quotas but does not elaborate much more on these two aspects.
Historically, apples have been a key product in Mexico's food basket. Local production amounts to nearly 750,000 tons per year. Mexico imports about 200,000 tons of apples per year, nearly 90% of which come from the United States, to sustain its demand.
Private analysts said that the trade tensions between the US and Mexico, and the progressive losses in Mexican production were decisive for the elimination of the import tariff for apples.
The Valleys of Rio Negro and Neuquén currently export very few apples to Mexico. However, this new scenario opens an opportunity to expand the volumes shipped to this destination.
Mexico is a major buyer of pears from Argentina. Mexico imports an average of nearly 25,000 tons of pears per year, tarrif-free. As such, the commercial channels to this destination are well-oiled and exporters could use them to increase their apple exports to Mexico.
Source: rionegro.com.ar