The government of Entre Rios accompanied the companies of the province that participated in the Fruit Logistica Fair in Berlin in the stands organized by the Federal Council of Investments (CFI) and the Argentine Agency of Investments and International Trade.
Thanks to Berries del Sol (Colonia Ayuí), Gramm Agropecuaria (La Criolla, Concordia), Toller Hermanos SRL (Federation), Earlycrop (Estación Yuquerí, Concordia), Extraberries (Concordia), Nobel SA (Chajarí), Trebol Pampa (Concordia), and Trevisur (Concordia), the products from Entre Rios were among the most sought after.
Gabriel Wasserman, the treasurer of the Association of Blueberry Producers of Argentina's Mesopotamia (APAMA), said "we have opened markets, such as China, with much effort from both the public and private sectors. We also achieved China lower import tariffs from 30 to 15%. Today, Argentina is its own main obstacle, with a policy of withholdings that goes against any export policy, where the only way to have foreign currency is by exporting; not to mention the amount of jobs that depend on these regional economies."
"We have managed to have negotiation advances with new Asian customers and we plan to participate in a fair in China May, as last year we participated as visitors in it. Our idea is to go this year and share a stand with other colleagues of the blueberry sector to continue strengthening markets," Wasserman stated.
Alejandro Pannunzio, the president of APAMA, said: "Last year they were delighted with the taste of the fruit from Entre Ríos fruit, so we know our product has a demand, despite certain negative conditions in the country, such as the withholdings; everyone wants to buy more, there are several customers who want to purchase our fruit, so in principle we are blessed to have our customers and other new customers. There are thousands and thousands of people in this sector that are competing for a place in the market. We are lucky that the fruit is valued and sought after, it's as much as we can ask for."
"Obviously, our country has to work to solve the issues that don't favor exports. It's a shame that we don't take advantage of all the potential we have to generate jobs and take advantage of the natural wealth and knowledge of Argentine professionals who work in the activity, such as agronomists, food engineers, safety and hygiene professionals, and so many other people with training that can add more value to our production," he added.
"Last year we added Sweden to our list of destination markets, then we added the Russian market, with much more presence in the Russian market; we obviously continue making shipments to the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark; and this year we want to add Spain, which wishes to complete Huelva's annual production with fruits from other destinations to be able to supply its commercial chain during the months they have no fruit," the entrepreneur concluded.
Businessmen meet with Argentina's Ambassador in Germany
Argentina's Ambassador to Germany, Edgardo Malaroda, met with the Coordinator of the Export Promotion Area of Entre Rios, Santiago Escales Migliore, the Executive Director of the Institute of Productive Development of Tucuman, Dirk Trotein, the Gramm Agropecuaria, Berries del Sol, and Toller Hermanos companies from Entre Rios, and other Argentine companies located in the stand of the Federal Council of Investments.
The Coordinator of the Promotion of Exports Area, Santiago Escales Migliore, said: "We were talking with the entrepreneurs, and although the panorama is different in each sector depending on international prices, demand and markets, there is a point in which all businessmen agree and that is that the deductions that the National Government applied horizontally to all exporters is leading to a loss of competitiveness and, as a result, they are starting to lose customers and markets due to a lack of predictability and profitability."
"Fruit Logistica Berlin continues to be the meeting place for these exporting sectors, we saw an excellent level of buyers, that is why the provincial government assists SMEs from Entre Rios in everything related to international trade. The companies from Entre Rios, like many Argentinean companies, have great potential to continue growing but, to do so, the national government must consider having a state policy in foreign trade, which promotes regional economies like our neighboring countries do."
Continuity of commercial promotion for the blueberry sector
After the opening of the Chinese market for blueberry in 2018 and the consequent reduction of the tariff by the Chinese government for this product, and giving continuity to an external commercial policy, the Government of Entre Rios accompanied the companies of the sector to a meeting maintained with the Operations Manager of the Messe company who is in charge of the organization of the Fruit Logistica China fair, which will take place in Shanghai in the month of May of this year. Berries del Sol and Gramm Agropecuaria, two companies from Entre Rios, which were the first two Argentine companies to export to China last year, stated they were very interested in participating in this fair to be able to give continuity to the commercial relationships that they have already established.
Source: www.apama.com.ar