The Argentinean Citrus Federation has said that exports are well behind last year and 2010 for the second week of May.
The number of pallets of oranges exported is 88 per cent down on a year ago and 91 per cent down on 2010 and for lemons this figure is 68 per cent and 72 per cent, while for easy peelers it is 41 per cent and 54 per cent. The federation said the economic crisis in Europe is to blame.
And citrus growers in the Salta region of Argentina have their backs against the wall at the start of this season according to the Salta association of fruit and vegetable growers, APFHS.
They are concerned that they are losing their competitive edge as high production costs for grapefruit and oranges are threatening the viability of several packing operations. Heavy rainfall in April has not helped their cause either delaying the grapefruit harvest by a month.
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