The situation of the fruit sector is repeated in virtually all regional economies with great difficulties to export.
Argentine Rural Confederations sympathized and supported the "just demands of the fruit producers in the provinces of Neuquen and Rio Negro affected by a profound crisis that hits the present and the future of a regional economy that employs about 70,000 people."
"With the work capital lost this year and with no financial responses from the national government producers of the Upper Valley have already committed their capital for next season. The low price received by producers for a kilo of fruit, which ranges between 0.80 and 1.20 pesos (0.09 to 0.13 dollars), is one of the major problems that largely explains this situation that has been reported by the CRA. Meanwhile, on the other side of the counter, consumers pay for that same kilo of fruit between 20 and 25 pesos (US $ 2.20 to 2.75 dollars)," they stated in a statement.
The situation of fruit growers is repeated in virtually all regional economies with great difficulties to export their production. In 2014, apple exports were 34% lower than in 2011.
As proposed by the CRA in its Agenda for Regional Economies, Argentina currently needs to recover both internal and external competitiveness. Current costs often exceed production costs or harvesting costs and exports have fallen sharply: in the first quarter of 2015 rice exports fell by more than 50%, apple exports by about 50%, pear exports by 30%, tea and herb exports by 15%, while lemon exports decreased by more than 80%.
In this context "the CRA demands specific policy responses and measures from the national government to revive and draw the fruit growers of the Upper Valley from the financial suffocation that they are in."
Source: on24