Argentina Allows Florida Fruit

June 20, 2001

USDA says Argentina's Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentario has signed a work plan allowing the importation of Florida citrus, and expanding access for California citrus. These plans are based on a recent agreement with Argentina that also expanded areas for California stone fruit. USDA estimates that this agreement will be a potential $3 million boost to the citrus industry and a potential $5 million boost to the stone fruit industry.

Argentina agreed to accept the fruit provided that the shipments are accompanied by an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service phytosanitary certificate indicating that the fruit has been inspected for certain quarantine pests or that the fruit originated in areas free of certain agricultural pests. In addition, each shipment must be free of soil. As part of the agreement, Argentina will modify its regulations to allow importation of the fruit. Shipments will begin once the regulations are in place.