Argentinean lemon production is anticipated to recover in 2011 following two years of drought in the country’s main growing region of Tucumán, according to a report by On24.
The crop, which will start slightly behind schedule in April, is set to surpass by 250,000 tonnes the result in 2010.
According to the Tucumán Citrus Association, the region’s production is estimated to reach 1.2m tonnes, compared with 950,000 tonnes last year.
Exports, meanwhile, are expected to be up by 25 per cent in value to some US$250m.
Tucumán supplies 90 per cent of Argentina’s lemon crop, of which around 35 per cent is exported overseas – mainly to the European Union and Russia.
The vast majority of Tucumán’s lemon production (more than 60 per cent) is destined for the processing industry (concentrated juices, essential oils etc), while a little more than 5 per cent is sold fresh on the local market.
