Apple producers in the provinces of Río Negro and Neuquén fear that rising domestic inflation and the falling real could mean the disappearance of the Brazilian export market for Argentine topfruit.
The warning follows the release of data which show that the region’s exports to Brazil fell by 65 per cent this year. This was partly the result of Brazil’s decision to suspend imports of Argentina apples, pears and quinces in March after discovering codling moth in a number of import shipments. The ban, which was not lifted until mid-June, is estimated to have cost the industry hundreds of millions of dollars.