Frosts in Argentina have affected citrus plantations in the main lemon-growing region of Tucumán.
Damage is yet to be quantified, but Tucumán citrus association president Roberto Sánchez Loria said: “Despite the fact that a large percentage of planted acreage is in areas that minimise susceptibility to frost, we have seen some plantations seriously affected.”
He did not discount the possibility that export volumes could be hit, but All Lemon, the quality marque that audits a dozen of the largest exporters, said protocols ensure cold-damaged lemons do not make it to market.
“Some 50 per cent of the fruit for this season has been harvested,” All Lemon said in a statement. “The top quality standards of the fruit sent abroad will be sustained even if production may drop.”
