Argentina's Government does not expect Tucuman lemons to be able to re-enter the US market this year.
This was announced yesterday by Tucuman's Governor, José Alperovich, in a press statement. "It seems quite hard, but we will fight it," admitted the politician.
Last year, the negotiations between Argentina and the United States intensified. Alperovich travelled there in June to meet with the now former ambassador in the United States, Jorge Argüello and the US Vice-minister of Agriculture, Edward Avalos. "I think the issue is rather political and nothing can be done until the US elections are over," said the Governor after the trip. But even after Obama's re-election, no progress has been made.
Argentina and the United States negotiated the terms for the import of lemons for 6 years, until the US market finally opened in 2000. A court ruling later suspended the exports, which during 2001 reached 20,000 tonnes and were valued at US$ 13 million. In 2005, both countries restarted the negotiations on technical and phytosanitary aspects; negotiations which are still currently underway.
In fact, after the unsuccessful meeting between Argüello, Alperovich and North American authorities, Argentina complained to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) about the restrictions that the US imposed on Tucuman lemons.
