Argentinian and US health authorities have signed the update of the bilateral agreement of the pre-shipment at origin program for the export of Argentine fruits from areas free of Fruit Flies to the North American country.
In this context, the President of the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (Senasa), Diana Guillen, the Secretary of International Economic Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship, Cecilia Todesca Bocco, and the US Ambassador to Argentina, Marc Stanley held a meeting at Ezeiza International Airport.
The event was also attended by Rebecca Stankiewicz, director of pre-embarkation programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA-APHIS); the president of the Committee of Producers and Exporters of fresh fruits for the USA (COPEXEU), Roberto Gregori, and the national director of Senasa's Plant Protection, Diego Quiroga.
This agreement allows phytosanitary certification for the export of cherries, plums, peaches, apples, nectarines, and pears to the United States, increasing phytosanitary security in bilateral trade and facilitating the entry of these products into the North American market.
In addition, during the visit to the airport, the American inspectors, accompanied by public and private officials and agents, inspected the facilities of the Air Cargo Terminal (T.C.A.), where they saw how a load of fresh cherries destined for the North American market is received and the phytosanitary inspection procedure that is carried out to ensure its health, safety, and quality.
This agreement is based on a continuous process initiated more than 35 years ago, supported by SENASA's technical cooperation with USDA-APHIS and the active participation of the export sector linked to the regional economies.
Shipments to the US
In 2021, Argentina exported more than 50 thousand tons of these fruits to the United States, consolidating itself as the third country with the most shipments of these products to this destination. The US positioned itself as Argentinian cherries' main buyer market, on par with China. That same year, Argentina sent more than 400 thousand tons of this fruit group to different countries of the world, positioning itself with prominent participation at a global level.
Source: argentina.gob.ar