The companies of the foreign trade sector are at the waiting for the Secretary of Commerce to provide details about What are the food products that will be able to enter the country? in advantageous conditions regarding fiscal and exchange rate issues as announced by the presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni. Likewise with the medicines.
Sector sources pointed out to Ambit who are waiting for the Government to specify what the tariff positions will be that they will be able to process imports with payments in 30 days to foreign suppliers and with tax reductions.
Until now there has only been an announcement of a measure which is not easy to implement, because there are not many companies in Argentina that have the relevant health authorizations.
On the other hand, sources from the Treasury Palace confirmed that the officials of Pablo Lavigne’s team are working on the implementation of what was announced, with idea to have it ready next week. It is noted that the work consists in verifying products, prices, local market demand, availability of foreign suppliers.
There are already companies that are dedicated to this activity and in general they correspond to food based on raw materials, such as the case of cocoa and coffee, which are not produced in Argentina. Tuna and bananas and some fruits that are not locally produced are also already imported.
Meeting with COPAL
The president of the Coordinator of the Food Products Industries (COPAL), Daniel Funes de Rioja, held a meeting with Lavigne at the Palacio de Hacienda. Funes de Rioja he complained to the official due to the modality chosen by the government to facilitate the entry of mass consumption products, which is to authorize payment of imports within 30 days.
The businessmen stated that There is an imbalance in the treatment for Argentine companies, that to import inputs, and in some cases raw materials that are not manufactured in the countrys, they have to pay in four installments, generating financial costs.
Lavigne’s response andIt is known that for now we will continue with this modality, without ruling out that in the future the conditions could be equalized. But in principle, it is assumed that the decision to increase the supply of products via import would be rather temporary.
Food imports are not closed in Argentina
A business source pointed out that Argentina “is not closed to the importation” of food. To do this, you must have the approval of the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA) and the merchandise must meet all the requirements, even the black octagons required by the law that requires informing the consumer about the ingredients.
Economically it is very difficult for a company or person intends to register in the registry of operators foreign trade to dedicate itself to importing mass consumer products ready for consumption. That is why among businessmen it is believed that the measure is tailored to the demands of the supermarkets.
In fact, these are already importers of food and basic basket goods that complete their offer of up to 10,000 items, of which it is evident that not all of them are produced in the country. Some analysts even consider that because Supermarkets only have 30% of retail marketing, The impact of a price reduction on inflation is very limited.
Source: Ambito
