The Indian market has been open for the export of fishmeal, eggs, lemon and chia seeds

The presidential tour begins to give its first results. As part of the meeting between President Mauricio Macri and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aBoth countries have made progress in terms of phytosanitary standards for to develop and diversify bilateral trade. As well he seeks to increase the reciprocal trade in services in tourism, cinema, health and information technologies.

The Secretary of State for Food, Luis Miguel Etchevehere, announced theexport protocol tests for lemons, fresh eggs and egg products, fish and bone meal and chia seeds, while Argentina allowed the entry of millet and guar seeds, of Indian origin.

"Argentina has 44 million inhabitants and our agribusiness sector produces 440 million, with a potential of 600 million by 2025," said Etchevehere. So, the possibility for the country "to be a strategic partner to provide food of quantity and quality to India", he said.

Having highlighted the quality of the food and beverage sector and its production potential, Etchevehere has Argentina-India Business Forum, focusing on business, commercial and investment opportunities which are presented today between the two countries.

As part of the meeting, the Secretary of the Agri-Food Sector signed two cooperation work plans with his Indian couple, Parshottam Rupala. As reported, one of them speed up sanitary and phytosanitary approvals regulators and improve market access.

The second objective is to improve the scope of agricultural cooperation between India and Argentina, "including technology exchange increase productivity and reduce post-harvest losses and enhance climate resilience, "it was said.

In the future, the markets being badyzed, offering potential for growth in bilateral trade, are of particular importance. Delegations agreed to continue working to quickly establish access to the Indian market for sweet citrus fruits (orange, tangerine, grapefruit), grapes, blueberries, walnuts, yerba nuts and sesame seeds produced in Argentina.

This step towards diversification is very important for our trade balance. In 2018, Argentine exports reached US $ 1602 million, but 90% of the total corresponds to soybean oil. On the other hand, imports reached 888 million US dollars, which a trade surplus of 714 million USD.