After 19 years of restrictions, Ecuadorian bananas have been permitted for import into the Argentine provinces of Tucuman, Salta and Jujuy, www.lagaceta.com.ar reported.

Since 1994, entrance of the fruit has been banned in the region from countries at risk of black Sigatoka and other banana-related diseases.

The end of restrictions met criticism from producers seeking to protect the banana industry in northern Argentina.

Tucuman Fruit Market Confederation (Mercofrut) president said the measure could lower the price of an 18-kilogram box of bananas from ARS$80 (US$14.64) to ARS$50 (US$9.15). Prices for Bolivian and Ecuadorian bananas were reportedly higher at, ARS$100 (US$18.30) and ARS$120 (US$21.97), respectively.

"The wholesale buyer takes the foreign fruit. Supermarkets also promote foreign products. But the small-scale buyer prefers northern (Argentine) fruit," Medina said on the Argentine website.

www.freshfruitportal.com