Mexican authorities have closed the country's borders to U.S. potato imports citing phytosanitary issues as the reason for the ban, according to sources close to www.freshfruitportal.com.

It is understood the decision was made by Mexico's National Service for Agricultural Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA) following complaints from a local grower group, however no official statement has yet been made on the country's Diario Oficial register.

"We had received reports that at least one border was blocked but now we've just been told that all borders have been closed to imported potatoes," one source said.

It is also understood the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is no longer issuing the phytosanitary certificates called 'Phytos' as no potatoes will be allowed to cross over into Mexico.

"If APHIS continues to issue Phytos then the exporters might risk sending potatoes to the borders but they've already been told the borders have been closed," the source added.

When asked how long the ban could be expected to last, the source said they were not sure but similar action in the past had proven to be lengthy.

"We definitely have no idea [how long the ban will be] though the last time something like this happened it was years," the source said.

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