The head of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Fernando Mattos, signed November 22, with the ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Wang Gang, the protocol of phytosanitary requirements for the export of sorghum from Uruguay to China, which enables the sale of that grain.
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"It is a very important step for Uruguayan agriculture, consolidating exports to the world's largest importer of this product," the minister emphasized.
Mattos was accompanied at the conference held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP), the general director of Agricultural Services of the organization, Leonardo Olivera; the head of International Affairs, Adriana Lupinacci, and the representative of Bilateral Economic Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rafael Villamor.
The Secretary of State expressed that the agreed protocol will allow the diversification of sorghum production in Uruguay because it is a product that can be grown in different areas of the country. He added that the grain will be exported for animal and human consumption.
"There is a real possibility of increasing production in Uruguay and increasing the flow of trade with our main trading partner," which is China, he said. Likewise, he maintained that there are some 21 registered companies with an interest to participate in the production and export of this grain.
On the other hand, he said that from this concretion the priority for new products is opened, among which is the export to China of bovine stomachs and tongues.
Meanwhile, Wang Gang said that his country imports sorghum amounting to 3,000 million dollars and added that one of the uses is the production of the local liquor moutai.
In addition, he maintained that China is emerging as Uruguay's main commercial and market partner and reported that until September of this year bilateral trade reached 5.7 billion dollars, with an increase of 28% compared to the same period in 2021.
He also referred to the authorization of a refrigerator located in Trinidad, Flores, which will be able to export meat to China. ■
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