Argentina: Producers request a state of emergency for cranberry
The producers of the Argentine Committee of Blueberries (ABC), which constitute more than 80% of the exports of blueberries of our country, were received today by national deputies of different political parties that make up the Commission of Economies and Regional Development.
From the blueberry sector, they asked the deputies to "declare a state of emergency" and under this premise work on the core measures that will help boost the sector in the medium and long term. Meanwhile take palliative measures that can generate in the short term (genuine impact in 2017 season) an effect of greater competitiveness for producers, especially targeting the smallest.
"We thank all the legislators who heard from our own voice the situation of the blueberry producer in Argentina. Between 2015 and 2016, there was an increase in sales volume abroad around 15 percent, but commercially it was the worst year in history in economic terms. Our sector needs concrete improvements to gain competitiveness, focusing on labor, production and logistics costs ", said Carlos Stabile, president of ABC.
During the presentation, from the ABC they described that this activity that is carried out in the NEA, NOA and Buenos Aires, has an investment of US $ 137,5 million, with 2.750 hectares planted and an annual production of 21.000 tons and a volume of exports exceeding 17 thousand tons.
"The net exports -in FOB price- are approximately US $ 110 million, and the main destinations are US. (65%), United Kingdom (15%), Continental Europe (15%), Canada (4%), Singapore (1%), Brazil (1%), among others, reaching international markets to which 26 exports at present. That is, we work to position Argentina as the world's supermarket ", emphasized Stabile, who insisted with "Speed up the procedures to generate the opening of the Chinese market, which would be extremely positive for the producers."
On the other hand, the legislators took note of the different problems that the sector has for lack of competitiveness, which makes the Argentine blueberries lose ground in international markets. "It is necessary that all taxes and social charges be reviewed, punctually reduce the tax on labor that is much higher than that of other countries and take away our competitiveness", Stabile said.
The ABC stated that the direct labor employed is of 700.000 wages that are a great support of the occupation levels in the productive regions. "We are aware that the salary of Argentine workers is the highest in the region and that is positive, since it puts us in a higher social standard than other competing countries. That is why the objective is to look for other ways that do not harm the worker or the producer "insisted Stabile.
At the close of the meeting, Deputies highlighted that this Commission "It is a link between the productive sectors and the legislative branch", and that the next step will be to assemble a group of legislators "Territory so that they can listen to the problems directly from the producers", from here to 60 maximum days.
Among other points, the deputies undertook to seek progress on the Collective Labor Agreement (an express request of the ABC); to dialogue with the entities of the field so that they are interested in representing the ABC in the work tables that correspond; and also help to promote other proposals such as phytosanitary and VAT refund.
ABC, a civil association that brings together producers, exporters and regional chambers of blueberries in Argentina, and brings together the regional chambers of the sector, which are the Association of Producers of Mesopotamia (APAMA), the Argentine Chamber of Blueberry Producers and others Berries (CAPAB), and the Association of Blueberry Producers of Tucumán (APRATUC).
Source: Freshplaza.es
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