Data from the phytosanitary watchdog Senasa indicates Argentina exported almost 80,000 metric tons (MT) of lemons to the U.S. in 2021, up 54 percent from the previous year.
Since the reopening of the American market, the country has exported to the United States for three straight years.
In 2001, a court ruling hurting California farmers barred Argentinean lemons from entering the U.S. In 2016, the market reopened, but exports began in August 2017 only after the government had delayed the process.
“Although the season is still wrapping up and we are seeing the final export numbers, the projections show that the volume reached US$70 million, while last year only saw $30 million,” said President of the Citrus Growers Association of the Argentine Northwest, Mr Pablo Padilla(ACNA).
An increase in production from Mexico was also impacted by severe frosts, which created a growth opportunity for Argentina. Several factors contributed to this growth opportunity, including the shortage of fruit in California and delayed shipments from Chile.
“Argentina is a responsible and important player in the international markets both in Europe and in the U.S.,” stated Padilla.
After the Spanish lemon went out of production in Europe, there was room to import the product from Argentina, similar to what happened in the U.S.
“Surely Argentina will try to occupy that free space that California leaves, as long as the quality of the Argentine lemon allows it because there are times when the intentions are there but the quality is not, forcing us to reduce volumes,” Padilla continued.
According to Padilla, he isn’t sure if the same thing will happen again in the near future. “Everything will depend on the American lemon supply because if there is a lot of local supply, Argentina will be more prudent and those volumes will be redirected to new developing markets.”
In the future, Argentina hopes to strengthen its presence in Vietnam and perhaps in India, as well as to increase shipments to China.
Additionally, Senasa certified a historic citrus shipment to the EU out of Argentina this year, consisting of 7,300 pallets under the deck and another 5,00 pallets in 250 containers on deck.
