Sendings reached 661,525 tonnes across all fresh fruit lines compared to 584,190t last year. Senasa's foreign trade statistics office found that increases were across the board in all major lines; citrus, pears and stone fruit.

However, grape exports experienced a higher rise:18.4 per cent from 28,902t last year to 34,218t in 2002. Citrus exports rose by the most: 45 per cent from 118,000t in 2001 to 171,000t this year.

The reasons for the increases are a combination of factors ranging from improved production conditions, new plantings coming on stream and also the devaluation of the Argentinean peso by 300 per cent since the start of the year making exports more competitive in their destination markets.

However, as the lemon season draws to a close, with final sendings bound for Europe at the end of the month, prices have been a little depressed in recent weeks, according to reports in the Argentinean regional daily La Gaceta. Values in Germany lifted by an average three per cent last week and hopes in South America are high for a similar uplift in other markets.

Because of the low pricing, entry price tariffs are applicable of 2.5 to four per cent further denting senders' returns and as a result the rhythm of sendings has slowed in advance of Senasa's August 30 cut-off date for exports to Europe.