Argentinian producers can match Chile’s success with fresh fruit, exhibitors at Fruit Logistica told FPJ.
Maria Pierrestegui, representative of the Fruits from Patagonia campaign, said Argentinia could boast the same excellent growing conditions and technology as Chile and producers were working hard to earn a better reputation for their quality produce.
“We have a good reputation for our meat, especially beef, so now we want to do the same for fresh produce,” she said.
“It is still early days but we are starting to become more competitive and certificate our businesses, with EurepGAP and USDA certifications. For some of our products more than 50 per cent goes to Europe so it is a very interesting market for us.”
This confidence in the country’s potential is not shared by all, however.
Gianfranco Pandolffo, import manager at Dutch importer South American Fruit bv, said Argentina’s industry had shown little sign of improvement.
“It will take at least a decade before Argentina catches up. They don’t have the logistical structure that Chile has. The fruit is grown in one place, packed in another and stored in another and they don’t have systems in place to organise the process efficiently,” Pandolffo claimed.
The industry is held back by the country’s unstable economy which prevents producers from being able to accept unfixed returns.
However, they are also at the mercy of other encumbrances, according to Pandolffo.
“They have a different way of thinking to everyone else. You can tell them to do things a different way but they will still do it all their own way,” he claimed.
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