Argentina’s citrus industry is also facing problems following the delayed beginning of the season 2023 because of the drought. This leaves Argentina facing the highest inflation rate in the world at 100 percent and problems with its currency. However, the producers insist that they’ve made long-term investments as well as commitments to honor and they will keep supplying the world market.
According to growers of citrus and exporters in Tucuman as well as other areas of production from Argentina who because of the pressures are extremely reticent regarding releasing information, and have been requested to keep their identities private: “The season started late because of weather issues. It was an extremely dry season during April. During that time the weather was extremely dry. There were also periods of rainfall, which led to the harvest to begin after May and with lower quantity.”
The official sources from the industry didn’t respond within the timeframe to publish.
While the Argentinian Government has declared a national situation of urgent agricultural concern for the principal lemon-producing region of Tucuman the exporters and producers affirm that they’re doing all they can “just remain positive and endure the difficult time our nation has to face.”
Argentina was blessed with rain the month of April (April) However, the producer say it was too late for improvement in the size of early citrus fruit, which was already waiting to be harvested. “Small-sized citrus fruits are currently the most popular. The expectation is to export lesser amount into America. United States. Europe remains the most important consumer of Argentine fruits. Prices on the market should rise. For the time being, we’ll exclusively offer programs using organic lemons.”
The weaker currency compared to the dollar as well as 108.8 percent increase in inflation year-over-year during April 2023 saw the rate of increase more than double the cost of many consumer items. In the last week, Argentina’s government declared the removal of tariffs on imports in order to allow greater food imports and to allow it to be more affordable for the average person. Rates of interest were increased to their highest level anywhere in the world, of 97% in order to stop the rise in inflation, however, it could take a long time to implement the system. The experts aren’t sure the effectiveness of this drastic increase of rates is going to work.
The purpose of the agricultural emergency in Tucuman’s citrus, declared on the official site of Argentina’s principal citrus organization, FederCitrus it is designed to grant tax relief for a year. The reasons behind the declaration are believed to be related to increasing production of lemons in Uruguay as well as South Africa.
President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez, who is scheduled to run for president on October 1st He has met with both the US President as well as the IMF to make loans available for the country earlier in order in order to prevent economic crisis. The government of Argentina is working to avoid the collapse of the country’s currency as well as keep the situation from getting worse in Argentina which will be detrimental to the country’s 46 million inhabitants. The latest measure made public to allow imports of food with no cost is unlikely impact exports, a manufacturer said.
Another exporter and grower expressed his opinion on the inside and markets challenges that Argentina’s sector of citrus has to face. “At at the very least, assistance in the special Argentinian peso to export citrus is coming soon that could aid. This season is slow with less fruit as well as smaller quantities, however the rains have started right enough to ensure that are now available. From Nova to the present should be being normal in size, and even in the normal amount. The market is booming, and with slightly lower rates in certain areas and cost of freight, which is returning to the normal levels.”
“Canada appears to be in an urgent need for fresh fruit as in two or three weeks, there will be many mandarins left that come from the northern southern hemisphere. The Russian currency, the rouble, against USD appear to have stabilized around 80. Earlier in May seemed like it might drop to 100 which is a disaster. However, they’re still requesting the usual amount of fruit, and even although we’re shipping lower than in previous years, they remain our top clients. The Philippines have also been experiencing certain needs, but the they are not charging as much as we’d like them to be given the distance and due to the fact that they are now accepting South African mandarins.
“Europe is experiencing some serious demands on oranges since they’re ending their harvest (and the one of Egypt) more quickly than they normally do however, due to the fact that they have placed additional restrictions on South Africa and our usual limits, I’m not certain what it’s going to take for them to get the fruits they require! We’d like to cooperate closer with EU but restrictions and fees for customs really hurt us.” the grower said.
“Although we’ve worked on lemons for many years, each year is ever the identical,” another Argentinian grower said.