Argentina: Syngenta Brussels sprouts varieties recommended to achieve compliance with quality requirements
A protocol specifies the characteristics to be observed in Brussels spouts during the entire process from production to commercialisation.
The Argentinean Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has recently approved a new quality protocol with which Brussels sprouts will have to comply in order to obtain the “Argentine Food a Natural Choice” seal.
The text of the protocol recommends some of Syngenta’s Brussels sprouts varieties, such as Maximus, Abacus and Gustus, for achieving compliance with the quality requirements.
The text aims to provide Brussels sprouts growers with a useful and practical tool that will help them to obtain a product of recognised quality.
Thus, the protocol establishes the minimum quality requirements to be met by the product: sprouts must be healthy, clean and insect-free; humidity levels must be correct, and these brassicas must have a fresh appearance, a uniform shape and a healthy colour; they must also taste and smell good, and show no deterioration.
The text also specifies optimum levels of ripeness, colour and size for the product, as well as the pesticides permitted.
With respect to size, this must be within the range of 23 to 41 mm in diameter. In a single pack, the Brussels sprouts must be of a uniform size, since only 5% are permitted to exceed a difference in diameter of 5 mm.
Apart from the characteristics of the product itself, the protocol also refers to the production and post-harvest processes, including references to temperature, packaging and transport. In this respect, individual packs must contain sprouts that are homogenous in terms of their origin, variety, quality and size.
Furthermore, the text highlights the importance of compliance with a traceability system, so that the product may be monitored from production through to commercialisation.
Argentinean Brussels sprouts are mainly sent to Chile and the Netherlands and, in smaller quantities, to Paraguay, Brazil, Liberia, Spain and the UK.
S&G Brassicas Today – July 2010
