In 2014, Ledesma produced 78,674 tons of oranges, 14,162 tons of grapefruit and 11,330 tons of limes. This represents an increase of 6.5 percent in the production of oranges and a 27 percent increase in limes over 2013. Grapefruit production fell by 30 percent due to the heavy frost and drought in the areas where the crop is located.
In 2014, Chile reopened its market to Argentine Valencia oranges, and Ledesma was the only company that exported two containers of oranges, after fulfilling all logistical, regulatory and cold quarantine requirements. The year 2015 looks promising for developing this market. Ledesma clients elsewhere in the world are mainly in Europe, and Spain is their biggest buyer.
Moreover, Ledesma produced 2,948 tons of orange juice concentrate, 1,107 tons of grapefruit juice and 729 tons of limejuice. This means they had a slight increase in the production of orange juice when compared to 2013, and a 40 and 58 percent fall in the production of concentrated juice of grapefruit and lime, respectively. This decline happened because Ledesma produces part of its juice concentrates with fruit from third parties, and this year the supply was limited as a result of the severe frosts and drought suffered by the Argentine Northwest in the spring of 2013, which had an impact on production in 2014.
Ledesma has almost 3,000 hectares of citrus fruits in Jujuy and Salta, its own certified nursery plant, which ensures the health of the material, a packing plant, and a plant for fresh fruit juices and essential oils. Ledesma Fruits and Juices creates nearly 2,500 jobs in Jujuy and Salta.
About Ledesma
Ledesma SAAI, which was created in 1908, as a sugar mill in Jujuy, is an Argentine agro-industrial company that employs nearly 8,000 people and leads the national markets for sugar and sugar cane fibre paper.
Ledesma is also the largest producer and exporter of domestic oranges and grapefruit, and they have a corn wet milling business, and produce meat and cereals.
The company constantly invests to innovate, introduce technology, and add value to their products through the integration of its activities. Ledesma also seeks to align its economic growth with the social progress and environmental care in the communities where it operates.
Source: portalagropecuario.com.ar