An ongoing labor dispute in the Argentine region of Rio Negro has disrupted apple and pear exports over recent days, El Tribuno reported.

Numerous employees of phytosanitary watchdog Senasa are on strike, following the dismissal of 213 members of staff. As a result, there are no fruit inspections taking place.

The Argentine Chamber of Integrated Fruit Growers (CAFI) warned that the industry would incur huge loses if exports do not resume in the short-term.

CAFI sent a letter to the Minister of Agroindustry, Luis Miguel Etchevehere, in which it stressed the seriousness of the ongoing situation and the effects that Senasa halting their inspection services will have.

The organization said the dispute was having an impact on exports going to certain countries that require specific phytosanitary protocols and risk mitigation systems.

CAFI said that around 11,000 metric tons (MT) of apple and pear exports are being affected, which could amount to costs of US$10 million.

It described this as "an exorbitant amount of money for a regional economy in crisis and that is doing everything it can to stay afloat."

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