Governmental authorities from Argentina and Vietnam have signed a recognition agreement that is expected to foster exports of agricultural and seafood products, according to a release from the South American country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture.

The release said Argentina exported US$1.3 billion worth of goods to Vietnam in 2013, with a trade surplus of US$1.1 billion.

"Products from the agri-food sector represented a high percentage of these exports," the release said.

However, the ministry mentioned poultry, beef and seafood products had been suspended from the Vietnamese market since 2011.

Under the signed documents, which recognize Argentina's safety control systems and declare the country as "approved to export products of plant, animal and fishery origin to Vietnam", the suspension on these imports will be lifted.

In addition to these core products, the ministry said the signing would also pave the way for exports of a series of plant products including barley, maize, legumes and sunflower seeds.

"The agreement also opens the door to the future export of fruits from our country to Vietnam; in this regard, it is expected that the access processes for citrus and blueberries will be concluded soon," the release said.

In turn, Vietnam will also be able to export seafood products to Argentina under the deal.

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