Brazil’s south-eastern state of Minas Gerais is pulling out all the stops to boost lime exports in a bid to extend its reach on the international market, according to the Exportaminas Centre – an export facilitating programme backed by the local government of Minas Gerais.
Through the support of Exportaminas, the region plans to increase Tahiti lime shipments from the city of Jaíba in a bid to tap into rapidly growing markets, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We have analysed the UAE – there is definitely a market for limes and demand is great, plus Dubai is also a trading hub and provides access to other markets in the region,” explained Juliane Whyte, director of the Exportaminas Centre.
By encouraging growers to comply with international certification standards, Ms Whyte added that the project aims to modernise the lime production sector in Minas Gerais.
Some 6,000 tonnes of limes were produced in Jaíba in 2007, of which 33 per cent, or 2,000 tonnes, were exported, according to the Exportaminas Centre.
Some 344 growers produce Tahiti limes in Minas Gerais covering an area of 470ha.
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