Spanish exporter federation Fepex has signed a cooperation deal with the Agricultural and Plant Health Inspection Service (Aphis) that will pave the way for future exports of fresh avocados and apricots to the US.
The agreement sets out an annual work programme which includes drawing up specific product inspection requirements to eliminate the risk of introducing pests such as fruit fly into the US.
Under the plan, apricots and avocados exported to the US will have to come from certified farms and packhouses that have been inspected and registered by US plant health authorities.
Each shipment will have to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture declaring that it is free from pests.
The Spanish government has made the opening of new markets a priority for the produce industry and the US is one of the key targets for exporters. In 2014 Spain exported 47,875 tonnes of fruits and vegetables to the US, a fall of 9 per cent on the previous year.
