Agreement with the United States: oranges and mandarins were left out of the document, but they are betting on pending negotiations
An agreement between Argentina and the United States leaves Argentine citrus fruits like oranges and mandarins excluded, prompting calls for future negotiations to include them.
The recent signing of a reciprocity trade agreement between Argentina and the United States has elicited mixed reactions from the agricultural export sector. While some industries achieved clear tariff definitions and quotas, others, such as the sweet citrus sector, have been excluded from the agreement, raising concerns about their future access to the U.S. market. The absence of specific mentions regarding the entry of Argentine oranges and mandarins into the U.S. market has left stakeholders apprehensive about their prospects in ongoing bilateral discussions.
Federcitrus, the national federation for citrus production in Argentina, has expressed disappointment over the lack of explicit references to sweet citrus fruits in the agreement. They had hoped that the significant push for access to the U.S. market would yield official recognition in the trade document. As the United States is one of the key markets for agricultural products, this omission suggests a need for further dialogue to define Argentina's priorities and requirements for future negotiations regarding citrus imports.
The implications of this situation are significant for Argentine citrus growers and exporters. The potential exclusion from a major market could hinder the growth prospects and profitability for these producers. Hence, Federcitrus is advocating for the incorporation of citrus into upcoming bilateral discussions to secure better trade terms. This situation underscores the ongoing complexities of agricultural trade agreements and the varying degrees of access and support experienced by different farming sectors within Argentina.