The Brazilian Association of Papaya Growers and Exporters (BRAPEX) says shipments of the fruit went back to normal this week after a period of inspector strikes that prevented U.S. entry.

A BRAPEX spokesperson told www.freshfruitportal.com federal farming tax inspectors went on strike from Aug. 6-10 demanding improved wages, which meant the country's papayas could not be cleared for export.

"Inspection of papaya marketed to the U.S. market is held by the tax and is a daily business, to check the export criteria set out in the trade agreement signed between the governments of both countries, regulated by the rules of the Ministry of Agriculture," he said.

He added the strike impacted other agricultural products as well.

On Aug. 10 Brazil's Superior Court of Justice ruled ordered the inspectors return to work, which they did on Monday, Aug. 13.

"Thus, from the 13th, papaya exports to the U.S. returned to normal."

www.freshfruitportal.com