Even though Colombia isn't one of the main citrus producing countries like Brazil, Cuba and the United States, it currently has 72,000 tons planted.
In this context, the Valencia Orange, the Tangerine and the acid Tahiti lime stand out; however, it is the latter that is having a pronounced role and is conquering the American and Canadian markets.
The country exported 3,760 tons last year, a small percentage when compared with citrus exporting countries but, since 2011, the Tahiti limes have topped the list, an upward trend due to the market increase in countries such as Guadeloupe, Martinique, United States and Chile.
This reflects a picture of a market with interesting potential, due to the commercial windows that have been opened by the recent signing of trade agreements.
Manuel Escobar Quija, technical secretary of the National Citrus Council, said that, "the only crop with export potential is the Tahiti lime that, although it is already being sent into the Canadian and American markets, can grow because they don't have that many restrictions."
Regardless of the trade agreements some requirements are essential for exporting. As Maria Cristina Torres, Ica's sanitary and phytosanitary regulation deputy explained, "Although we don't have many requirements to comply with, the United States, for example, requests that we comply with the federal code's general requirements and the import permit."
In terms of quantity, Escobar said that Colombia has reduced areas to address international demand but that markets can be developed through an analysis of supply and demand and also knowing when to take advantage of the fact that that those producer countries aren't producing.
In this sense, Alvaro Ernesto Palacio, CEO of the Fruit and Vegetable Association of Colombia, (Asohofrucol) commented on some opportunities in international markets. First, due to the great resistance that the fruit's skin has, limes can withstand international transport traffic, so they can travel long distances.
Limes are desired for their flavour in the European Union, especially in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Moreover, the fresh product has been well received in the Caribbean Islands for decorative uses in cocktails and the fruit's zest. "The government has the Productive Transformation Program (PTP), which was created in 2011 in order to strengthen the economy of the agricultural sector and in this sense, the citrus chain has been very active," said Escobar.
Making strategic alliances, developing regional clusters, training entrepreneurs in exports and promoting technological agendas, are some of the challenges faced by the industry to improve its competitiveness and take advantage of the opportunities in the world.
Source: Larepublica
