Drop in Northern Hemisphere production and more balanced international market augur well for shippers
There are growing signs that Argentina’s lemon industry is on the road to recovery after years of low profitability. A fall in Northern Hemisphere production, coupled with a more balanced international market after years of oversupply, are generating a more hopeful outlook amongst the country’s producers, according to José Carbonell, president of the Argentine Citrus Federation (Federcitrus).
“We are cautiously optimistic about lemons. The drop in production in the Northern Hemisphere opens up some markets for us and gives us the possibility of increasing some volumes. This also applies to all industrial derivatives,” he told La Nación.
Data from INTA Famaillá shows that acreage in Tucumán – Argentina’s main lemon growing province – has shrunk from 51,972ha in 2021 to an estimated 39,040ha in 2025.
“The lemon industry has had a long decline from 2019 until last year. This led to the departure of many producers. Thirteen thousand hectares of lemon orchards have been lost. Some were planted with oranges, but most were converted to other crops,” Carbonell noted.
Since the start of the century, demand has failed to keep pace with rapidly rising production, leading to a sharp drop in global prices. But a series of adverse weather events in 2024/25 led to a drop in Northern Hemisphere supply, giving Southern Hemisphere producers like South Africa and Argentina more room in the market.
Carbonell said some growers who reduced their acreage may be encouraged to replant abandoned orchards. However, he warned that a drastic drop in the supply of plants could scupper their plans.
According to official data, Argentina has exported 216,548 tonnes of fresh lemons worth US$142mn so far this year –a 27 per cent increase in volume and 43 per cent increase in value compared to the same period of last year. Juice and derivative prices have also improved significantly.
