Lemon growers in the leading Argentinean production area of Tucumán should be looking to earn protected geographical indicator status, according to an editorial in regional daily La Gaceta.
PGI status would increase the lemon's standing on overseas markets and bring certain quality and origin guarantees to consumers. It could also help to open up new markets for the north-western Argentinean producers in the US and China as well help them forge ahead in south-east Asia, Japan and Canada and consolidate a well established foothold in Russia and the EU countries.
Latest statistics from the Argentinean citrus federation Federcitrus show that production in Tucumán is increasing by roughly 15 per cent year on year as new plantations come on stream and young orchards increase their yields. As with other sectors of fresh produce, it is vital therefore that the Tucumán sector grows the market for its product to avoid the risk of long-term oversupply. The region already produces 90 per cent of Argentina's lemons and is the most important growing area for the fruit in the southern hemisphere.
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