Guatemalan producers say the Honduran authorities refuse to inspect their plants, preventing them from exporting milk to that market, so they ask the Guatemalan Ministry of Economy to apply reciprocal measures.
According to the directors of the Dairy Development Association (Asodel) and the Chamber of Dairy Producers of Guatemala, with the aim of authorizing sanitary permits, a year ago they waited for the National Agrifood Health and Safety Service (Senasa) of Honduras to visit the production plants, but the Honduran authorities refused to do so.
Honduran companies and authorities of both countries are agreeing on dates to review and endorse the phytosanitary measures of those interested in exporting the fruit.
According to the authorities of the National Agricultural Health Service (Senasa) of Honduras, the South American country presented days ago to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the phytosanitary requirements for the import of melon from the Central American country.
Because the creation of a new sanitary regulation in Mexico will take more than three months, it will be almost impossible to resume exports of fresh Honduran shrimp to the North American country this year.
Mexico's blockade of Honduran shrimp imports has been in effect since October 20 last year, after Mexican authorities cited the presence of yellow head disease in the product purchased.
Last year exports of 17 types of fruits, vegetables and organic grains may registered a 4% increase compared to 2016.
In the last ten years, the number of agricultural producers dedicated to the cultivation of fruits, vegetables and organic grains increased from 1,500 to 6,451, according to figures from the National Secretariat for Health and Food Safety (SENASA). Also in the last decade, it is estimated that the planted area grew from 4,400 hectares to 31 thousand hectares.
Honduran exporters claim that starting from more than 30 days ago Mexican health authorities have prevented entry of the product arguing the presence of yellow head disease.
Although the National Service of Agricultural Health (SENASA) claims to have presented to its counterparts in Mexico tests that rule out the presence of the disease in the Honduran shrimp farms, they are still stopping entry of the product in the north American country.
Growth of 40% has been projected in the 2016/17 harvest along with a rebound in sales to major markets which are the main destinations for the exotic fruit, the United States and Europe.
Favored by the climate in the area of the Atlantic Coast, where the harvest of this fruit is concentrated, production is estimated to grow by 40% in the 2016/17 harvest.
The restriction imposed by Mexico on the entry of fresh shrimp from Guatemala is causing uncertainty among Honduran shrimp cultivators.
In the view of producers and exporters of shrimp in Honduras, the gaps that exist in the procedures of the National Agricultural Health Service (SENASA), which has been taken over because of irregularities in its administration, hinder compliance with the requirements under which Mexico will allow entry of fresh shrimp.
After completing the process that includes inspection of poultry farms, Honduras has received certification from the neighboring country in order to export eggs.
From a press release issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock in Honduras (SAG):
The range of exports of Honduran poultry products has been widened with the addition of eggs after Honduras was certified by El Salvador for the export of this important nutrient, which will strengthen business relationships and generate more income for the country.
The Food and Drug Administration has included in its black list the company Iberoamericana de Mariscos after finding salmonella in its product.
The Food and Drug Administration agency of the United States has included in a list of banned products shrimp packaged by the company Iberoamericana de Mariscos, after salmonella was detected in the product.
So far in 2013, exports of Honduran fruits and vegetables are almost triple total exports in 2012, when sales showed a significant decline.
In the Valley of Comayagua the number of containers shipped overseas went from 1,700 in 2012 to about 4,100 containers during the first quarter of this year.
According to Roger Cruz, phytoprotectionist at the National Health Service (SENASA), "the rebound in crops is due to producers having been conscientious in crop management, containers detained because of pests have so far been zero and this is the result of a series of training sessions given to farmers to ensure quality products," he added.
The National Agricultural Health Service has announced the certification of Honduran cattle for export to El Salvador and Guatemala.
The opening up of the market to Honduran beef came through certification of a Honduran plant based in Siguatepeque, Comayagua.
"We are working with some countries in the region and we have already opened up to El Salvador and we are finishing up the work on the poultry processing plant of Siguatepeque becoming certified by Guatemala", said the Director of SENASA, Heriberto Amador.
Beef exports totaled $30 million in 2011, four times last year's exports.
Honduran meat exports quadrupled last year, reported authorities of the National Agricultural Health Service, SENASA.
2011 closed recording meat exports worth $30 million, compared to 2010 when they only reached $7.8 million, according to figures from SENASA.
"These figures indicate that livestock is on the rise again, and there are other incentives such as the price of milk which reported sustainability, because the prices in winter stayed at 5.50 lempiras per liter ($ 0.29), while in summer, they were 8.50 lempiras ($ 0.44 per liter), motivating farmers", said Heriberto Amador, director of Senasa, in an article in LaPrensa.hn.
Failure to do so will result in a lawsuit being filed against the Nicaraguan government for creating trade barriers.
The Honduran government on Monday has given a deadline of September 19 for the situation to be reversed otherwise they will proceed with a Chancery suit or through the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, said the director of the National Service of Agricultural Health (SENASA ), Heriberto Amador.
With Nicaragua’s application of non-tariff barriers on citrus fruit from Honduras, producers are requesting government intervention.
The growers asked the National Service of Agricultural Health (SENASA) to intervene in order to resolve the conflict that is occuring mainly over oranges
The head of SENASA, Heriberto Amador, confirmed the existence of the problem.
The Ministry of Agriculture will receive experts from Uruguay to advise on the subject next week.
The traceability system involves maintaining and making available animal identification details and registration of all activities to which it is subjected, from birth until the meat reaches the consumer.
The director of the National Service of Agricultural Health (SENASA), Heriberto Amador, said in an article in Latribuna.hn,."We are concerned about carrying out this process of providing traceability in the Honduran herd in order to meet export product conditions of international trade and trading partnerships."