The Argentinian lemon producer and exporter Citromax, based in Tucuman, will focus on increasing volumes from 12 000 to 15 000 tons and diversifying its markets during 2023. This follows after the country had a very challenging 2022 lemon export season.
According to Regina Zuccarelli, head of logistics for Citromax: “The 2022 season was one of the most challenging for the lemon sector. Argentina's 2022 lemon campaign was heavily affected by a combination of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, higher sea freight rates, a global oversupply of lemons, and a post-pandemic macroeconomic environment that has affected consumption and costs in all markets and production areas.”
© Citromax
Regina Zuccarelli, head of logistics for Citromax
Citromax has been in business for more than 50 years and produces fresh lemons, as well as other products, like blueberries, oil, juice, pulp, powder and the dried peel of lemons. It is precisely this record of staying in business that enables her company to get through the challenges states Zuccarelli.
“Our country did have a big challenge due to the lack of fuel during the main months of our lemon season, that situation makes it even harder to achieve the goals planned for the 2022 campaign. As the head of the logistics team at Citromax, a Company with more than 50 years in business, we have a big background and also a good relationship with our providers. This made it a little bit easier to find the best solutions when the timing was tight during the season. Good coordination is the key under these circumstances. Citromax exported 12 000 tons of fresh lemon in the 2022 season, one of the most challenging for the lemon sector. Despite this, Citromax managed to meet its initial objectives by opening new markets and projecting growth for 2023. This year we plan to export 15 000 tons by diversifying our markets. We will continue working on quality while hoping for improvements in external variables such as the stability of exchange rates in the main markets, the costs of maritime freight and the Russia-Ukraine war.”
She says the growth in volume will not come from new hectares but they intend to focus on replacing old trees with new higher yielding plants. “We are always looking for new markets. Our sights are always set on the Middle and Far East. Europe is still our main market but in the last few years it was oversupplied by other origins. The US became an important market for us, it is second after Europe, while Canada is always looking for reliable retail programs. China is a big potential market, we have been working there for the last two years, we just hope the lockdowns are over in 2023,” states Zuccarelli.
For more information:
Regina Zuccarelli
Citromax
Tel: +54 3863 496200
Email: RZuccarelli@citromax.com.ar
www.citromax.com/