In the first year, Argentina exported more than 10,000 tons of lemons to the United States for US $ 10 million.

In its first year in the United States after the reopening of this market, Argentina has managed to export fresh lemons for about 10,650 tonnes worth about US $ 10 million.

This has been reported to
THE NATION sources from the citrus industry and the Argentine Citrus Federation (Federcitrus). In May 2017, the United States Government authorized the entry of Argentine lemon. In 2001, California producers, one of the leading US states producing this product, filed an injunction against Argentina, citing alleged health problems, and managed to get the country out of this market. At that time, some 17,000 tonnes had been placed. Before leaving office, former US President Barack Obama left him a lemon free hand, but Donald Trump left the decision unfinished and finally approved in May 2017.

"It was a year of testing and it was good, and next year, Argentina will be considered even more," said an industry source. He pointed out that the North American market was paying for the product even 15% more than Europe, which is now 80% of the 220,000 tonnes of lemon exported by Argentina.

Fifteen companies are able to sell in the United States. "With the inertia of this year, next year should be higher (volume), 50% or more," the sources said. Importers and US authorities both sent messages to Argentinian satisfaction companies because the product posed no problem.

In order not to irritate the Californian producers, in the protocol with the United States. it was established as the port of entry of Argentine goods to that of Philadelphia, in the north of the country. That is to say, Argentina has sought, by its gesture, another way of income different from that where are located the producing regions.

On the other hand, attentive to a sanitary order, it has been accepted that the lemon for this destination is yellow green. In the industry, a table of eight colors is managed, from intense green to yellow. The one requested by the United States concerns the harvest between May and July. This requirement meant that the product had not been shipped last year, because when the news became official, the season of that color was pbading and sales were to disappear by 2018. "It was needed to harvest when the lemon was not completely yellow, "they said in the industry.

Therefore, there is a small window to place the product in the United States. According to one source, most transactions were made in July and August. Minor sales also occurred in June and September.

After what is the optimum window, starts to be a preference for the local fruit. The Argentine lemon went to stop big supermarket chains for direct sale to the public.

"Argentina has celebrated its first year with a good campaign and we have received positive messages from importers and authorities," they said.

As competitors, Argentina has Chile, which sells about 50,000 tonnes, and Mexico, which places about 20,000 tonnes.

In addition, the opening of the Chinese market, which is important for its volume, is expected. There are negotiations between the two countries that revolve around the technical temperature of the cold that the Argentine product has to bear.