The Uruguayan fresh produce industry will next week conclude its damage evaluation to production in Salto following severe frosts on 7-8 June.
The full extent of the damage is due to be announced on 5 July by the Ministry of Agriculture (MGAP) and the National Research Institute of Farming and Livestock (INIA), according to a report by El Observador.
The evaluation process began last Friday at citrus groves and was due to end yesterday (Wednesday 27 June) in the other produce-growing areas, the report said.
According to a report by El País in Uruguay, the frosts were the worst in the last 40 years and as a result 50 per cent of citrus production destined for export markets has been lost.
Agriculture Minister Tabaré Aguerre is expected to declare a “catastrophe” for the citrus sector and a “weather emergency” for the horticulture industry, El Observador said.
The coldsnap in Uruguay is the result of the same cold front which has also damaged Argentina's northern citrus-growing regions.
