Salta banana growers alarmed as Argentina lifts phytosanitary ban

The Argentine government issued Resolution 114/2026, eliminating a long‑standing sanitary cordon that barred the import of bananas into the banana‑producing provinces of Salta and Jujuy. Provincial officials warned that the change could allow entry of the fungus known as “Panama disease,” which, if established, could render soil unsuitable for banana cultivation for up to 30 years.

Salta’s Secretary of Agricultural Development Diego Dorigato criticised the lack of prior consultation with provincial producers and highlighted the risk of having to destroy plantations. National officials including Secretary of Agriculture Sergio Iraeta and Sub‑secretary Martín Gustavo Giaccio met with Salta deputy Carlos Zapata to explain the technical basis for the decision and to reassure growers that existing SENASA controls and exporting‑country safeguards are sufficient. A further meeting with local banana producers is scheduled to address their concerns.