Colombian authorities have announced the opening of the Colombian market for Argentine mandarins, as part of the work being done to deepen the trade agreements in force.
Colombia's and Argentina's authorities are working on a broad plan to open the bilateral market, which also includes the export of services. In May of this year, Colombia opened its markets for Argentine oranges, lemons, and garlic.
The approval of the phytosanitary requirements for the import of mandarins from Argentina, which was accepted by the National Service of Health and Quality Agroalimentaria SENASA, was published on August 8 by the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA).
"The permanent work between our health services and the guarantees provided by Argentina's certification system have allowed us to achieve this goal, which offers good possibilities for the regional economies," said the president of SENASA, Ricardo Negri.
Last May, Colombia also opened its market to oranges, lemons and garlic from Argentina. In the last two months, Argentina opened its market to different Colombian products, such as pineapples, bananas, avocados, and fresh flowers.
In addition, the health services of both countries said they were working on the phytosanitary requirements so that Colombia can export limes, among other products, to Argentina.
Argentina is Colombia's ninth biggest supplier of food. According to the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI), trade between both countries, in the period 2000-2008, was favorable for the southernmost state.
"Argentina had a trade surplus both in the total and the agro-industrial balance of its trade with Colombia," according to the Ministry of Agricultural Industry. In 2017, Argentina exported 510,275 tons of agro-industrial products worth 208 million dollars to the Colombian market.
Source: marcotradenews.com