New regulation on fresh vegetables for domestic production, trade, and international ex-change – SENASA Resolution 328/2025
Public Law Department Report | New regulation on fresh vegetables for domestic production, trade, and international ex-change – SENASA Resolution 328/2025
On May 13, 2025, the National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA) published Resolution 328/2025 (the “Resolution”) in the Official Gazette, approving a new regulatory framework for fresh vegetables intended for import, export, and domestic production. This new regulation repeals over a dozen provisions in force since the 1980s and 1990s and seeks to modernize the legal regime applicable to the horticultural sector, facilitate national and international trade, and align quality standards with international phytosanitary commitments.
1- Main obligations for producers, packers, and exporters
-Producers
Individuals or legal entities producing vegetables must be registered with the National Sanitary Registry of Agricultural Producers (RENSPA).
-Packers
Packers are required to apply, only once, for the registration of their packing facilities with SENASA, in accordance with Resolution 48/1998 and its amendment. Additionally, packing activities must take place in clean, ventilated, and easily sanitized facilities with dimensions appropriate to the production volume.
-Harvesting
Harvesting may begin at the producer’s discretion, provided the waiting periods stated on the phytosanitary product labels are respected.
-Transportation
Vegetables destined for either the domestic or export market must be transported using means that ensure their safety, sanitation, and preservation, protecting them from environmental conditions.
-Mandatory labelling of packages
All packaged fresh vegetables must include mandatory labeling with specific information depending on the market of destination:
-For export, labels must comply with the applicable regulations required by the importing country.
-For the domestic market, labels must indicate: species and variety, place of production, name or corporate name of the packer, packing facility ID, brand name (optional), “Product of Argentina”, net weight, packing date, and RENSPA number.
-For import, the label must also state the country of origin and the name of the importer.
2- Export conditions and procedures
-Mandatory phytosanitary certificate
The export of vegetables requires the issuance of a phytosanitary certificate, which must be requested through the Remote Procedures platform (TAD).
-Requirements of destination country
Applications must be submitted at least 6 hours prior to shipment, and only after obtaining the phytosanitary requirements from the importing countrys National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO), including import permits, licenses, or other official documentation.
3- Regulatory changes and sanctions
3.1. Repeals and regulatory simplification
The Resolution streamlines the regulatory framework, repealing: Resolution 203/1993 (IASCAV), Article 7 of Resolution 816/2002 (SENASA), and 13 provisions issued between 1982 and 1992 by the former Department of Fruits and Vegetables.
This unification eliminates outdated requirements such as the mandatory approval of packing facilities at the place of origin and unnecessary packaging specifications, which previously hindered the competitiveness of the sector.
3.2. Quality standards definition
The Resolution approves nine Technical Annexes with quality terms for the following vegetable groups: bulbs and sheathed leaves, Leady vegetables, Fruit vegetables, Inflorescences, Cabbages, Stems and petioles, Legumes, Roots and tubers, and a Technical Glossary.
3.3. Sanctions
Non-compliance with the regulations will be sanctioned in accordance with Chapter V of Law No. 27,233 and its regulatory decree (Decree No. 776/2019), which provides for penalties such as fines, suspension or cancellation of registration in the relevant registries, temporary or permanent closure of establishments, and seizure of products related to the infraction, among other measures. In addition, preventive actions may be adopted pursuant to Resolution No. 38/2012 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and its amendment.
We remain at your disposal to provide advice regarding the application of this new regulation and its potential impact on your economic activity. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any inquiries.
Best regards,