The Argentinean citrus industry is continuing to experience a difficult 2009 marketing season in major export markets worldwide as a result of the global recession and lower-than-normal production brought on by drought conditions.
This year, the country’s lemon exports are forecast to fall to 250,000-300,000 tonnes, according to Argentinean analyst Top Info Marketing, compared with the record volume of 2008 which surpassed 400,000 tonnes for the first time.
“Argentina started supplying lemons very slowly at the beginning of the season and although sendings are starting to pick up, exporters say that so far in 2009 they have only shipped half of the volume sent during the same period last year and a third less than in 2007,” Top Info’s Betina Ernst told Fruitnet.com.
During the next few weeks, Top Info also expects fewer Argentinean oranges to make their way to the marketplace following a heavy fall in early production in Entre Ríos and Corrientes. To date, shipments are estimated to be down by 45 per cent against last year.
In the mandarin category, however, shipments are tipped to considerably exceed the 100,000 tonnes of last year as exporters continue to be attracted by positive marketing conditions and solid prices, especially in Europe and Russia.
Conversely, Argentina’s grapefruit exports are forecast to reach just 15,000 tonnes this season, according to Top Info. The estimate is less than half last year’s 33,000-tonne total due primarily to the drought impact in Salta-Jujuy and a lack of market interest, which has pushed down prices.
