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.
In Honduras, from October 1, processing of International Phytosanitary Export Certificates can be done digitally through use of an electronic signature and stamp.
Honduran authorities reported that the National Service of Agrifood Health and Safety (SENASA), at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG), has launched online processing of the certificate.
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.
Currently the poultry industry has about 5.5 million birds for commercial supply and 14 million broilers, and this year they project growth of 4%.
Regarding the data on the sector, Marco Antonio Baquedano, coordinator of the National Poultry Program at the National Service for Agrifood Health and Safety (SENASA), told Latribuna.hn that "...
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.
Due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the South American country, Honduras has tightened prevention and control measures at ports of entry such as ports and airports.
Latribuna.hn reports that "...The relevant measures are aimed at preventing the entry of the disease intothe national territory, and maintaining the current health status. In this context a warning has been given of the risks involved in importing live animals, products and by-products of bovine origin from that 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.
The dairy sector in Nicaragua has denounced the imposition of non-tariff barriers by Honduras, whose health authorities have delayed the renewal of certificates for nicaraguan plants.
It has been estimated that 750,000 liters of milk per month have ceased to be exported to Honduras since November 2015, because the National Agricultural Health Service has not renewed certification of dairy plants in Nicaragua.
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.
The presence of a dangerous bacteria in Mexico has worried Honduran producers over the possibility of the entry of the disease by land, in contaminated containers and vehicles.
"The chances of early mortality bacteria entering the national territory are high, since Mexico is one of the main destinations for fresh shrimp coming out of the shrimp farms operating in the south of the country, which is being sent in Salvadoran and Guatemalan dredgers", reported Elheraldo.hn.
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.