The Argentinean citrus industry is apparently experiencing a difficult marketing campaign in 2012 following a decline exports so far this year and a workers’ strike in the lemon-producing region of Tucumán.
The season has got off to a poor start with exports of oranges, lemons and mandarins falling by 88 per cent, 68 per cent and 41 per cent against the same period last year, according to a report by Elentrerios.com.
Meanwhile, fruit pickers have been on strike and blocked roads in Tucumán after Uatre, the trade union which represents Argentina’s rural workers and stevedores, reportedly rejected a 23 per cent pay rise proposed by the Tucumán Citrus Association.
Instead, the workers are apparently demanding a wage increase of at least 33 per cent in line with inflation, according to the Argentinean media.
Compared with the 2010 season, Argentina’s citrus exports are significantly down, Elentrerios.com said, with orange, lemon and mandarin shipments registering a fall of 91 per cent, 72 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.
The downturn is attributable to the European recession and loss of competitiveness for Argentinean exports due to rising costs and inflation in the country, the report indicated.
The shortfall also comes in spite of record citrus yields thanks to advanced treatments and favourable weather conditions, and a good outlook in Russia – Argentina’s biggest lemon export market.
North East Argentine Citrus Exporters Chamber of Commerce executive director Dr Mariano Caprarulo told Elentrerios.com that urgent measures must be adopted to at least halt the sharp decline in exports and the loss of markets, which he claims took years to build and will take many more to try and recover.
