Argentinean lemon exports are spiralling upward this season despite a reduced crop.

According to national food standards body Senasa, sendings of lemons from January to May 2008 were 61 per cent up on sendings for the same period in 2007 at 143,779 tonnes compared to just 89,305t.

And with the global lemon shortage that has pushed prices up, values have also climbed on last season’s levels: total citrus sendings from the South American country increased by 128 per cent in value.

In Tucumán, in the north-west of the country, the crop is likely to close the season some 20-25 per cent down on 2007 and reach just over one million tonnes. “Fruit condition is good and yields of export quality fruit are higher than in previous seasons,” said Roberto Sánchez Loria, president of the Tucumán citrus association, ATC. “That is why we have been able to export more pallets than at the same point last season and also we had an earlier start to the season by a few weeks.”

But the ATC leader warned that the citrus sector must be vigilant in the second half of the campaign that is getting under way in July. “We need to be particularly vigilant in terms of plant health and food safety,” said Sánchez. “In this way we will maintain quality and ensure continued strong pricing for exports.”

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