Northwest Argentina to export lemons to the United States

This standard was amended on December 23, 2016 to allow the importation of lemons from northwestern Argentina to the continental United States under a series of conditions designed to protect America's agricultural production. This rule, which should have entered into force on January 23, 2017, has been postponed on several occasions and will enter into force starting May 26.

"The USDA will work with the Argentina's National Service of Agrifood Health Quality (SENASA) to finalize the operational plan described in this final regulation. During 2017 and 2018, Argentina will be able to export lemons only to the northeast of the United States," according to the statement. In addition, the lemons must meet a number of phytosanitary requirements to enter the US market.

This is very good news for Argentina's lemon exporters, such as the San Miguel company. "We've had 16 years of slow negotiations. It is good news that there will be no more delays, "said the company's director of institutional relations, Lucas Mendez Tronge, who added that opening new markets was always useful.

According to the exporter, the process is going through its last phases, in which the phytosanitary services of both countries are finalizing the details of the permits to export lemons from Argentina to the United States. This new regulation implies that some Argentine producers and exporters will need to make small investments to be able to fulfill the new requirements; the amount of the investments will depend on each company.

Operational plan requirements

Even though Argentina has a big lemon production, not all of it is suitable for the US market, as some of it lacks quality or doesn't meet other requirements. "For example, there's a color range [for lemons] that can be exported to the United States. The operational plan, which is still in draft, establishes the color with which lemons have to be harvested so that they can be exported to the United States," he said. However, given that the Argentine season has already begun, many producers won't be able to take advantage of the new regulations this year. 

"We'll probably have color issues this season, but perhaps some varieties might comply with the necessary conditions for export if the phytosanitary services of both countries finish the whole operation quickly. In any case, it won't be easy to export this season," he admitted. "But, of course, it's very good news," he said.

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