The Argentine Northwest Citrus Association (ACNOA), which brings together producers, packers and processors in Tucumán, has announced that it has begun harvesting the first lemons that will be exported to the US after a 17-year absence.
Shipments will get underway in the coming weeks, with the first containers due to arrive in US ports at the end of May.
Given that this is the first US campaign after an absence of several years from the market, exporters say initial shipment volumes will be small and it will take time and effort to build commercial programmes.
“Undoubtedly, it is a very important milestone for our country to once again supply the sophisticated and attractive US market with fresh lemons from the north west of Argentina,” ACNOA said.
“It will also require an enormous commitment and responsibility of the entire productive sector to meet all the commercial and phytosanitary requirements of that market.
“Our export trajectory, reaching half a century ago to more than 50 countries around the world, is a guarantee of confidence in this regard.”
