Heavy rains and logistical delays mar start of the campaign, but strong international demand augurs well for shippers
Argentina lemon producers eager to capitalise on strong market demand are being hampered by heavy rains which have delayed harvesting and exports.
Following his recent visit to growers and packers in Tucumán, Juan González Pita, COO of Salix Fruits, said the season was being shaped by contrasting forces: favourable fruit formation followed by heavy rains, alongside strong international demand.
From a climatic perspective, a dry spring initially supported fruit development and quality. However, intense rainfall between January and March has complicated internal farm roads, delaying harvest operations. Growers estimate that volumes may not move for at least two weeks, depending on weather improvements, with forecasts suggesting further rainfall in the coming days. Despite these logistical hurdles, orchards show a recovery in production compared to last year, ensuring good fruit availability once harvest resumes.
“The fruit set was very promising thanks to the dry spring, but the heavy rains in recent months have created real challenges for logistics and harvest timing,” González said. “We are monitoring the situation closely, but overall production looks stronger than last year, which is encouraging.”
On the commercial side, expectations remain positive. With limited supply from Europe and Turkey, Salix Fruits said demand is strong across key markets including Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and the UK. Producers expect prices to trend above previous seasons, supported by strong demand in Europe and non-EU markets. Industrial demand also shows better prospects than in the previous season.
“Market sentiment is optimistic,” González continued. “The shortage of European and Turkish lemons opens opportunities for Argentine fruit. We expect solid demand and competitive pricing, especially in Europe and non-EU destinations.”
Yet, global uncertainties remain. Saix Fruits noted that South Africa has more than 500,000 cartons of lemons en route to Middle Eastern ports, a region currently facing geopolitical tensions.
Normally, South Africa ships around 150,000 tonnes annually to the Middle East, representing 35-40 per cent of its exports, the company noted. Depending on market disruptions, part of this fruit could be redirected to destinations such as the UK or Canada, though Russia’s demand profile may not align with South African calibres.
