Colombia lamented the Ecuador safeguarding of 21% on their products

Colombian Minister of Agriculture Aurelio Iragorri Valencia lamented the “unilateral measure” taken by Ecuador of imposing a safeguard of 21% to products from Colombia, but hoped a solution through dialogue.

“We hope that by way of the constructive dialogue a prompt solution is given to this event that impacts the excellent trade relations between the two countries,” he said.

The measure adopted by the Ecuadorian government affects, according to Iragorri, the Colombian exports of agricultural and agroindustrial products, which totaled $ 168 million in 2013 and $121 million in October 2014.

Among the agricultural products that would be affected are canned food, candies, cereals, milk, cocoa and seafood, which represent 56% of total exports to Ecuador.