Exports of Argentine fruits and vegetables fell sharply between January and September of 2015 compared to the same period last year. A detailed analysis carried out by the consultancy firm IES shows that exports fell by 22.6 per cent toUS$860m in value terms, while volumes were down 9.9 per cent at 1.13m tonnes.
Fruit exports were down 22.4 per cent to US$603m due to lower shipment volumes and a fall in average prices. Vegetables registered a 22.9 per cent decrease in value terms as average prices were 21.1 per cent lower and the quantity exported fell by 2 per cent.
Meanwhile, domestic sales of fruits and vegetables to the Central Market increased by 13.8 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively in volume terms, and by 30.8 per cent and 39.5 per cent in value.
During the same period, fresh produce imports rose by 2.2 per cent to US$192.1m.
IES director Alejandro Ovando said the outlook for the entire year was unfavourable due to “the erosion in profit margins caused by rising production costs and a challenging export market created by unfavourable exchange rates and lower demand in Argentina’s main markets”.
