Argentina expands food import deregulation

Argentina's government has further deregulated the food import system, enhancing the automatic recognition of foreign sanitary certifications and streamlining import processes for food-related inputs. This move, formalized through Decree 697/2026, builds upon earlier measures introduced in January 2025 that eased the entry of processed foods from countries with recognized sanitary standards.

The new decree now extends these benefits to additives, technological coadjuvants, ingredients, and materials that come into contact with food. It also reorganizes the responsibilities of agencies overseeing the sector and strengthens the role of the National Service of Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa) in inspection and control.

The government explained that the exclusion of these new product types from previous flexibilization measures had prevented national industries from using them in their production. By extending the same treatment to these inputs, the administration aims to remove regulatory burdens that negatively impact national production. The decree specifies that products meeting the requirements of the Argentine Food Code will be recognized if they are certified by countries listed in the decree or if they adhere to "Codex Alimentarius" standards.