A representative of the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (CAFI) has expressed surprise at Brazil's recent banning of the country's pome fruit shipments, saying there could be "severe social consequences". 

Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) announced the decision on Tuesday (March 24), saying it had made 15 interceptions of the codling moth in Argentine apple and pear shipments in the first quarter of 2015 alone.

CAFI manager Daniel Satragni said the move by Brazil was unexpected given the close phytosanitary and political relations between the two countries, and did not feel a trade suspension was fair.

"It was not justified, because the apple and pear business is at normal levels in terms of volume and the fruit is strictly controlled both at the point of original and at the border," Satragni told www.freshfuritporal.com in a written statement.

"Every year there are statistics about interceptions that only the official authorities know about.

"In addition, the phytosanitary program that was approved by both countries more than 12 years ago is subject to annual audits by Brazil, and we are about to receive an audit in the next few days that was planned months ago to evaluate the system, so the measure definitely seems unjustified and hasty to us."

Satragni said that to avoid negative effects for Argentine exporters the suspension should be immediately removed, and both countries should "sit down and bilaterally analyze these problems as we have always done."

The CAFI representative also said Brazil's decision would harm regional Argentine economies that depended greatly on the traditional market.

"Entire towns have been developed with this commercial relationship. The social consequences will be severe if the market remains closed for some time," Satragni said.

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