Rio Negro's pear and apple export season has started with a 20% increase in sales abroad. The first shipment, bound for Brazil, left this week from the port of San Antonio Oeste.
Facundo Fernández, Rio Negro's Secretary for Fruit Growing, spoke about the sector's challenges and the prospects for the year on the Tocá Madera Radio Noticias program ( 105.5 Mhz). The first ship transported more than 600,000 tons of pears and apples to Brazil, from where it will be distributed to other countries, including Russia, the main buyer. Shipments are expected to be made weekly or fortnightly, depending on the destination.
"Exports have started normally and the first shipment left this week. The frequency of shipments depends on the destination. Shipments will be made via the port of San Antonio, our main outlet for the fruit," Fernandez said.
"The market situation is relatively normal, with Brazil having slightly recovered from a 27% devaluation process, which affected last season's results," he stated.
"Prices were lower than average at the start of the year. The problem, however, is not the volume of fruit or the market's attraction, but the high taxes on a box."
"The exchange rate has not changed so we have the same dollar as the previous year, which means we are expensive for the world. World prices are normal. The rest of our competitors produce at costs at which the activity becomes profitable, but things are complex for us," he stressed.
"We still have extraordinary climate advantages to produce, such as abundant water combined with a desert climate that allows us to naturally produce healthy and almost organic fruit. The valley's cool nights and warm days cause the fruit to be full of sugar, making it delicious. That's why when our pears arrive at any market, people stop purchasing the product from other origins and grab ours," he concluded.
Source: noticiasnet.com.ar