Argentina's National Agri-Food Health and Quality Service (SENASA) has confirmed the presence of the Diaphorina citri insect, a vector of huanglongbing disease (HLB), on a citrus farm in Tucumán. This detection has set off alarms in the citrus sector, which is already affected by the decrease in the marketing of fresh lemons abroad and industrial products. Pablo Padilla, president of the Citrus Association of NOA (ACNOA), said this is the most serious scenario the sector has faced since 2014.
The discovery of the vector in Caspinchango, south of San Miguel de Tucumán, marks the first time the insect has been found in a plantation, prompting SENASA to tighten controls to prevent the spread of HLB, a disease with no known cure for citrus. Prevention actions have been intensified and are coordinated by an emergency committee composed of several agricultural institutions and associations.
Despite the concern, Tucuman remains free of HLB, with outbreaks detected in other Argentine provinces. However, the crisis in the citrus sector is deepening, and producers expect a 35% drop in fresh fruit exports. Many farms are in a state of abandonment, as it's cheaper to leave the lemons on the plants than to harvest them. Padilla said exports decreased due to multiple factors, including tightening phytosanitary requirements and trade defense measures in destination countries.
The current situation suggests a loss of Tucuman's weight in the market for industrial products derived from lemon, similar to what happened with fresh fruit. Padilla advocates the creation of a consensus and implementing strategies to face the crisis, emphasizing the need to act quickly to avoid further losses in the sector, particularly among producers and owners of smaller packing facilities.
A study by INTA Famaillá reflects the crisis, showing that in the 2024 season, Tucumán's citrus area decreased by 7.52% over the previous year. This contraction is evident in several of the province's departments, indicating a worrying trend in the citrus sector. According to Padilla, the sector must be reconverted towards the production of industrialized products with high demand in the food and beverage industry worldwide.
Source: tucumannoticias.com.ar