Argentina has reformed its food import and export regulations. The new rules allow food imported from countries with "high sanitary standards", including the US, to enter with minimal paperwork. Also, exports from Argentina now only need to meet the requirements of destination countries rather than Argentine domestic regulations. These changes aim to provide consumers with greater choice and more affordable food. They also seek to boost Argentina's competitiveness, facilitate trade, and benefit both consumers and producers with faster, more efficient food trade processes. Note: At this time, these changes only apply to products regulated by the National Food Institute (INAL). They do not apply to products regulated by SENASA, including meat, poultry, dairy, pet food, and feed.
On January 20, 2025, Argentina implemented a series of modifications to the Argentine Food Code (Código Alimentario Argentino, CAA) through Decree 35/2025, aiming to simplify and streamline procedures for the import and export of food products. These new deregulations primarily apply to consumer-oriented finished food products. Note: The decree applies only to products regulated by the Instituto Nacional de Alimentos (INAL), roughly equivalent to the U.S. FDA, and does not extend to products regulated by the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASA), the counterpart to APHIS in the United States. Most regulations governing market access and certifications for products such as meat, poultry, dairy, pet food, and feed, among others, remain in place. This reform is part of a broader series of deregulations by the government aimed at improving the ease of doing business in Argentina. Stakeholders should conduct their own review of the changes.
The reforms aim to reduce bureaucracy and lower the costs associated with international food trade by facilitating access to foreign products in the Argentine market, providing consumers with greater choice and potentially more affordable food. At the same time, they seek to enhance the competitiveness of domestic products abroad. By eliminating redundant procedures and streamlining administrative processes, the government aims to stimulate trade and support the food industry, benefiting both domestic consumers and producers.
For imports, the new regulation establishes that food products originating from countries with "high sanitary surveillance standards," which includes the United States, as well as Australia, Canada, Japan, and European Union member states, can enter the country by submitting only an Import Affidavit. These products are exempt from additional national procedures as long as the regulations in the country of origin are equivalent to or exceed Argentine standards.
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