Neuquén and Río Negro launch 'Origen Patagonia' brand at food fair

Neuquén and Río Negro provinces united under the banner "Two provinces, one origin" at the Caminos y Sabores gastronomic fair in Buenos Aires. This marks the first time the southern Argentine provinces have jointly appeared at the event, launching the "Origen Patagonia" brand to bolster their food industries.

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The stand we made is very interesting because it is typical of Norpatagonia and includes everything our producers have in common: the wine route, trout, fruit farming, among other products.

The joint stand showcased shared regional products like wine routes, trout, and fruit farming. Río Negro's Minister of Economic Development and Productive Affairs, Carlos Banacloy, highlighted the provinces' complementary nature, especially within the shared Alto Valle region. He emphasized the novelty of their unified approach at the fair and expressed a desire for continued inter-provincial policy.

Bettiana Gabilondo, Río Negro's Undersecretary of Promotion and Interior Trade, noted that the idea originated last year, leading to collaborative efforts between the two governments. She stated that Río Negro's 20-year participation in the fair was significantly amplified by this union, benefiting over 50 agro-food producers.

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We are from Patagonia, but at the same time, the entrance to the region, and we conceived this concept because we complement each other and share the heart of the Alto Valle. We are doing something unprecedented at Caminos y Sabores, and we want to give continuity to this policy in our provinces.

Gabilondo explained that "Origen Patagonia" is a new brand created to capture the interest of fair attendees seeking Patagonian products. She described it as part of an ongoing process to build a regional identity where local products are integral to every dish, fostered by public-private collaboration.

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This was an idea that ministers Koenig and Banacloy had last year, and since then, the two governments began working on this big bet.

Anabel Lucero Idizarri, General Manager of Neuquén's SME-Economic Development Agency, echoed the sentiment of integration due to similar productive landscapes, resulting in a more impactful presentation than if they had exhibited separately. She pointed out that while the Alto Valle is known for pears and apples, it also boasts high-quality wine production, emphasizing quality over volume.

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Río Negro has been participating in the fair for 20 years, and this union has boosted our provinces, especially the more than 50 agro-food producers we brought together.