Argentina's citrus sector has had to overcome some difficulties as it heads into the last few weeks of the current mandarin campaign. According to Nahuel Lavino, export sales manager at Fama, an Argentinian citrus exporter and importer, they made the best of a short season. "The mandarin season has only a few more weeks to go. The season was a bit shorter than usual due to the climate difficulties, but with good packinghouse work, we are extending it as much as possible."
He says their orange season is going strong. "We have long-lasting programs until the end of the calendar year when Egypt and the Northern Hemisphere will start with good volumes and competitive prices," states Lavino.
He is also relieved that prices are generally good this year, unlike last year when prices were not suitable. "Prices in general are good and demand is high for both types of confections that we do: 15kg boxes and 550kg cardboard bins and accepts all qualities and almost all sizes, which is very efficient for growers as almost all fruit gets accepted and exported."
Domestically Argentina's president Javier Milei, has instituted several cost-cutting measures. This includes cutting of a range of subsidies such as fuel and reigning in state spending. "The Argentinian local market is not expected to be strong this season, so not much fruit will be kept in cold storage, and there is still the fall-back of orange for industry that still pays well. The Argentinian situation is on the right path, but taking that path that is this fast is not easy on the population. Prices skyrocketed, salaries are not keeping up... one of the reasons why there's not much demand for citrus in the local market, 'there is no money!' as Milei says. Unfortunately, this is something that is going to take time, but at least there is some light at the end of the tunnel, I believe," states a hopeful Lavino.
For more information:
Nahuel Lavino
Fama
Tel: +34 636 497 142
Email: [email protected]
www.citrusfama.com.ar