Argentina's 2024 citrus season ended with the lowest export figures of the last decade, led by a sharp drop in lemon shipments. José Carbonell, the president of the Argentine Citrus Federation (FederCitrus), reflected on Argentina's citrus exports in 2024 and the changes experienced in processed products. "Exports of fresh fruit reached 220,000 tons, the lowest figure in the last decade. Volumes of oranges and mandarins recovered compared to the poor 2023 campaign (almost 100%) but lemon shipments fell sharply, especially to the European Union, although partly offset by the fact that they exceeded 90,000 tonnes to the US."
He says the fruit travelled really well. "The sanitary behaviour of the fruit was very good. The drop in volumes to the EU occurs in the context of the lack of conclusion of the EU-MERCOSUR agreement, which leaves the member countries of the latter at a clear disadvantage with South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, and others," states Carbonell.
By markets, the following distribution was presented:
Source: Senasa Boards
"In the current situation of the citrus industry in Argentina, 1,37 million tons of lemons have been crushed at the end of the campaign, with slight improvements in prices and a moderate drop in the supply of fruit, since several thousand hectares have been established in the Tucumán area and another one have been neglected as a result of the loss of profitability."
Carbonell expects a decrease in lemon volumes for 2025. "In 2025, a drop in lemon production is expected and, consequently, a lower supply of industrial products. In sweet citrus fruits, especially oranges, they continue to be sent for juicing, especially in the Argentine north-east. The prices of industrial products set the pace and all the available industrial capacity is being used, which by the way is not much and has not been updated. All this is influenced by the lower supply of orange juice in Brazil and in the world."
The first shipment of fresh Argentine oranges to Guatemala was certified this season.
Although he foresees better commercial conditions in 2025 the decrease in lemon hectares is a factor. "In 2025, better commercial conditions are expected, with a sharp drop in lemon production, due to the decrease in hectares. This is due to two factors basically, one is the decrease in the planted area and other strong frosts that occurred in the winter of 2024."
Regarding orange production, it is expected to be lower than this year in Argentina. "The projection is positive for the next few years. Logistics and port costs are still very high in Argentina, the highest in South America. We must add the increase in freight rates in reefer containers and the lengthening of all transit times. This is an increasingly difficult barrier for Argentine exporters to overcome," concludes Carbonell.
For more information:
Jorge Amigo
FederCitrus
www.federcitrus.org