Argentina has exported more fruit than meat during the first half of this year for the first time in the South American country’s history, according to figures from Senasa (Argentina’s agriculture and food certification and quality agency).
Although widely recognised as one of the world’s leading fresh meat suppliers, sales of Argentinean fresh citrus, apples and pears totalled some US$972m during the January to July period, Senasa said, compared with US$786m-worth of fresh meat.
While the country’s fruit export sector has free trade access to many global markets, Senasa pointed out that the country’s meat industry is subject to quotas and tax restrictions.
Senasa also attributed the shift to the significant efforts made in Argentina during the last decade to improve fruit quality, coupled with the rise in prices for fruit on the international market.
Fresh fruit now represents Argentina’s second-largest export item after grain, according to Senasa, with meat shipments in third place, followed by dairy and fish products.
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