Citrus producers in Tucumán will be granted more time to pay local taxes to help deal with an expected 50 per cent fall in production in 2014 caused by freezing temperatures and drought conditions last year.
Provincial governor José Alperovich confirmed yesterday that this was one of a number of measures being looked at to help ease pressure on growers following the declaration of a state of emergency in the sector on Wednesday. Tax refunds, a renegotiation of export tariffs and refinancing packages are also being discussed.
The Tucumán Citrus Association (ATC) welcomed the proposals, saying it would alleviate the difficulties producers are facing this season. “With output set to fall to 700,000 tonnes compared with 1.3m tonnes in 2013, the number of hours worked by the 45,000 workers employed during harvesting will be severely curtailed,” said the association’s Roberto Sánchez Loria. “The state of emergency will provide vital support for these people.”
