Argentina Fruit and Vegetable Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Argentina Fruit and Vegetable Market - Growth, Trends, Covid-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The Argentine fruits and vegetable market is projected to register a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period (2022-2027).

During the COVID-19 outbreak, Argentina's fruit and vegetable market suffered major challenges. Argentina is one of the leading exporters of vegetables across the world. It faced challenges in the form of restricted trade movements as the country’s export industry was affected badly due to repeated lockdowns worldwide. Sales were also affected as the European buyers halted the purchase, resulting in the post-harvest loss of the produce as most of the fruits and vegetables got dumped within the processing units. New trade restrictions and protocols also affected the business. For instance, Qatar requested a certificate of treatment of the merchandise to prevent the spread of coronavirus on the import of produce from Argentina.

Due to favorable weather conditions, the production of Argentina's most fresh and deciduous fruits, such as apples, pears, and grapes, increased tremendously in recent years. Domestic consumption of fresh fruits is also expected to grow due to a significant increase in production and the lack of competitiveness of local exporters in the international market.

Fruits and vegetables are important supplements to the human diet as they provide the essential nutrients required for maintaining health. Argentina is one of the major producers of fruits and vegetables globally. It produces several horticultural crops like apple, banana, orange, pear, grape, lemon, tomato, carrot, onion, chili, and pumpkin.

Argentina’s economic problems in the past decade have led to reduced profitability in the sector, resulting in the area gradually declining in the major fresh fruit and vegetable growing regions of Argentina. Besides the lack of profitability affecting most fruit producers, grape producers face water scarcity, which is also affecting fruit prices in the country.

Key Market TrendsArgentinian Government Lifts Export Taxes on Fresh Produce

The government of Argentina extensively supports the production of fruits and vegetables. The ultimate goal of the Argentinian government is to support its regional rural economies. In March 2020, the government announced adjustments to its export tax regime, according to which the tax rate for the export of most of the fruit and vegetable produce was 5%. Initially, the removal of export taxes had a significant impact on the international markets, making the county's fresh produce highly competitive. In addition, the government established a 7.0% export rebate for most of the fresh and deciduous fruits shipped from the ports of Buenos Aires.

From 2016 to 2019, the government provided funds to the provinces of Rio Negro and Neuquen for various programs related to plant health issues for a total amount of USD 12.5 million. The Government of Argentina also supported the fruit sector under the Agricultural Emergency Law by providing tax deferrals to struggling producers, among other benefits. With the new government administration, exports are gradually reaching their previous levels, which is expected to drive the fruits and vegetable market during the forecast period.

Grapes to Dominate the Argentine Fresh Produce Sector

Grape production in Argentina was reported at 2,573,3 thousand metric ton in 2018 and 2,519.9 thousand metric ton in 2019. The terroir of Argentina is unique compared to the rest of the world and differs slightly around the country. Being located next to the mountains offers Mendoza the benefit of high altitude. Not only does this translate to direct sunlight, but the snow from the Andes is a great source of clean, pure water that can hydrate the vines. Additionally, the high altitude makes it difficult for viruses and fungal diseases to survive on vines, allowing for increased cultivation and better grape yields annually.

Besides protecting from phylloxera, rootstocks confer resistance to nematodes and salinity and can control the vigor of the vines in the vineyard. Consequently, more vineyards in Argentina are being planted with grafted vines, especially in Mendoza’s newer and more sophisticated growing regions. The market attractiveness of grapes, especially in the form of raisins and fresh juices, is likely to intensify fresh grape production in the coming years.

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