30% tariff leaves Uruguayan blueberries virtually out of export to China
Last week, the first entry of Uruguayan blueberries to China was announced by the Salta company Gamorel SA Said shipment left last October 26 from the Carrasco airport to Shanghai on two pallets with 450 boxes that totaled 675 net kilos. The fruit was of three varieties: Snowchaser, Emerald, and Primadonna.
Adolfo Storni Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gamorel SA pointed out in Agricultural News that the opening of the Chinese market took place last year but at that time the time was not enough to make the first export being postponed for this recent harvest. In turn, the businessman said that "Unfortunately this export is something symbolic" since it is very difficult for the Chinese market to represent an important destination for Blueberry exports due to the very high tariff costs that are located at 30%.
"It is difficult to compete against products from Chile or Peru that are being exported with 0 tariffs, practically leaving us out of the market," added Storni, who stressed that we must continue working at the government level to be able to reduce or eliminate import tariffs completely that China's trade policy allows bilateral negotiations without the need for a free trade agreement.
Adolfo Storni is Argentine, with a degree in economics and an MBA. He is currently the President of Extraberries, Cerezas Argentinas and Frutos de los Lagos in Argentina and Gamorel and Estancias del Lago in Uruguay. He has 28 years of experience in the food industry and agribusiness. Previously, he worked at Ingenio Rio Grande, Expofrut, San Miguel, Arcor and Cargill.
He is a member of the Steering Committees of the Argentine Blueberry Committee, of the Argentine Chamber of Integrated Cherry Producers and of the Union of Fruit Producers and Exporters of Uruguay.
Listen to the full interview with Adolfo Storni here:
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