Argentinian maize exporters have been in talks over selling maize to Spain, the head of the country’s grain export chamber said on Wednesday, hoping the European country will ease import rules in a context of supply shortages due to the crisis in Ukraine.

The Spanish government and the European Union as a whole have yet to confirm any plans to ease the rules on currently restricted Argentine corn imports. The vast majority of corn in Argentina, the world number one. 2 exporter, is genetically modified. Gustavo Idígoras, head of the CIARA-CEC Cereals Export and Grinding Chamber, said Argentina will have sufficient supplies of 2021/22 maize, currently being harvested, to meet any shortages in Spain. related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“We have already had several discussions with the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and the Spanish sector of the animal feed industry, and Spain has confirmed that they will do so,” Idígoras said, referring to an easing of restrictions on maize imports. “The flexibility will not only be for the subject of biotechnology, but also for the subject of sanitary controls in terms of residues”, he added.

The Spanish and Argentine agriculture ministries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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