"After more than 20 years, Tucuman's lemon is about to enter the United States," said Governor Juan Manzur this morning during a press conference at the Government House. Governor Manzur said the US Department of Agriculture had already proposed the rule for imports of lemons from Tucuman and it is currently undergoing its period of consultation. "Everybody is working hard on this," he said.
"As we know, the US market is one of the most demanding markets in the world. That entry of Tucuman's lemon to that country will obviously create more jobs for the people in Tucuman. There are nearly 40,000 people working in the lemon industry. This is how we will strengthen our regional economies, which give labor and work to people," he added.
Earlier this month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated Argentina would export about 18,000 tons of lemons to the US per year, which would cost up to 20 million dollars. In addition, these exports would arrive in the northern hemisphere's summer (between April and August), when the production in the US is smaller.
Inspectors from the USDA visited Tucuman and Salta last year, where they conducted a risk analysis of the production and packaging areas. According to the official portfolio, this study found that the lemons produced in the Northwest "are safe from a phytosanitary point of view and can enter the United States."
The US agency has to conduct a second inspection visit to Argentina to verify compliance with the conditions agreed with Senasa in the Operational Working Plan. In this context, the producers from Tucuman expect the US ambassador will visit the province, among other things.
The last stage will focus on the confirmation of the final rule.
Source: lagaceta.com.ar