The province of San Juan is Argentina's main producer and exporter of fresh grapes, a crop that requires intensive labour. In 2012 exports to Brazil fell by 60% due to the demand for bromination, an activity for which the sector lacked infrastructure.
The authorities of San Juan are working closely with the Senasa for the realization of a protocol that would enable exporters of local table grapes to export the production of their next harvest to the Brazilian markets without the need for applying methyl bromide as has been happening since December 2012.
This time the chances of success are stronger because Brazil has recently reopened its market to Argentine apples and pears, which also had health restrictions.
"We were with the president of Senasa, and taking advantage of the now open market to pears and apples, which had been closed, we now set out to build a similar protocol for table grapes, because we can prove that there are no pests. They agreed and we are already working on it," said the Minister of Production, Marcelo Alos.
Brazil is a key market for the grapes of San Juan since one third of their production is sold to that destination. However, since the restriction was imposed, the losses have been significant.
"We have already started working with Senasa to make the protocol and for the grape to be included," added the minister, who calculated that negotiations between Argentina and Brazil would be taking place in the next 30-45 days.
Source: diariodecuyo.com.ar