As reported in the Diario de Cuyo, so far grapes are still denied the entry to the country without being fumigated with methyl bromide, whose implementation is difficult because of the lack of adequate infrastructure, the damage caused to
the fruit, the cost and urgency about the impending harvest from December.
So, as a result there already are exporters who will not be able to sell their production, which threatens the labour force that produces crop. "This year is going to be difficult to export to Brazil, we will try to redirect sales to other destinations,
but its not easy," said Adrian Sanchez, of the exporting company Cerro Blanco.
"It's very difficult because there are exporters that only sent to that destination. A very complex year is approaching," said Diego Nazareno. Both the Minister of Production, Marcelo Alos, as well as the secretary for economic policy Leonardo Gioja, have intensified in recent weeks meetings with the Chamber of Foreign Trade and authorities from Senasa to advance in negotiations seeking for Brazil to lift barriers to Argentine grape exports, so far without results.
The provincial government decided to give a hand to the sector and will invest between 1.5 and 2 million of pesos to set up a bromide plant to help the sector as soon as possible.
The secretary of Agriculture, Andres Diaz Cano said that plant will be located in the industrial park of Albardón and estimates it will be ready for next November, but warned that may disinfect at best 2 teams with pallets per day.
Last May, in retaliation for Argentine barriers to Brazilian products, the country applied severe tariff obstacles (non-automatic licenses) to the importation of wine, olive oil, olives, grapes and raisins, among other products.
"Exporters do not know what to do. Grapes require prior preparation and we do not know if we will have to invest," said Emilio Busnelli, from Expofrut. "Grapes are deteriorating and is an unplanned extra cost," complained Nestor De Luca, from La
Deheza in Ullum.
Source: infocampo