Uruguay’s Minister of Agriculture, Tabaré Aguerre, has revealed that the first consignments of fresh citrus exports from Uruguay to the US are anticipated to get underway next year.

By the end of 2011 the US is due to publish a public consultation, which, if accepted, would pave the way for the first exports to begin by mid-2012, according to a report by El Observador.

Minister Aguerre claims the potential for Uruguay’s citrus sector is “very good” considering that 50 per cent of current production is exported at a value of US$100m.

Government and port authorities as well as commerce chambers have also noted “strong interest” from overseas partners in developing investment projects in Latin America, particularly in Uruguay.

Neighbouring Argentina has also once again expressed its interest in re-accessing the US lemon market.

Re-elected President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner reportedly spoke with US President Barack Obama during the G20 Summit in France on behalf of Argentinean citrus growers.

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