The European Union asked Argentina not to restrict food imports, which was reported by manufacturers and producers.

Manufacturing sources said that restrictions began being applied in the last few days on products that are also elaborated locally, in a non-written measure that primarily affects the EU and Brazil.

"Said restrictions, if carried out, would be incompatible with regulations of the World Trade Organization and with the commitment acquired by Argentina in the G-20 framework," said the local EU delegation in a communiqué.

"The European Union is therefore calling on Argentine authorities not to implement the announced measures," it added.

The Argentine food and beverage sectors export US$12 billion per year in processed products, and imports US$900 million, according to the coordinator of the food products industry.

"Everything the market demands in matters of imported foods will be available in supermarket aisles of our country," said the Argentine Industry and Tourism Minister, Débora Giorgi, in a rally which took place in Córdoba province.

"Argentina works under the norms of the World Trade Organization and we will continue to do so in this fashion, not only regarding the non-automatic licensing application, but also in relation to anti-dumping measures, and we will not allow disloyal competition linked to products to enter our country with social, financial, and/or environmental dumping," she affirmed.

A spokesman for the National Drugs, Foods, and Medical Technology Administration (ANMAT) said that the organism should daily remit a list of products that require authorization in order to be imported, and the Secretary of Commerce should approve them.