Argentina is the eighth largest citrus producer in the world with more than 2.7 million tons. The activity generates more than 100,000 jobs. In this order, Corrientes is the country's third citrus producing and exporting province, dispatching products with the Corrientes seal to the Netherlands, Spain and Russia, among other international destinations, according to data from the Ministry of Agroindustry of the Argentine Nation. Correntine workers produce the fruit that will then be consumed by thousands of people around the globe.
The Minister of Production of Corrientes, Jorge Vara, gave some details of the province's citrus chain, with a growing trend towards lemon production. In citrus' case, unit values are higher and are second item of export for the province.
Rice and citrus account more than 80% of Corrientes' exports at present. The majority passes through the port of Buenos Aires, and the rest go to Brazil, by freight. This has different destinations, like Rio Grande do Sul and even São Paulo (Brazil). 85% of productive activities in the province are comprised of livestock, rice, forestry, fruit, herb and horticultural chains. This makes up 85% of the province's primary output, although these are not their only activities.
In this context, we represent 47% of Argentine production in terms of lemons and 30% of other citrus (mandarin and orange) at the national level. We are growing a lot in the production of lemons, and we are making much progress in agriculture, although we are still very far from Tucumán; which leaves us second in agriculture in the country, he said.
The official told NORTE de Corrientes that the citrus chain has 22,000 hectares in the province, which represents 62% of the area of Montecaseros with higher rates of productivity at 70%. In contrast, Bella Vista is lowering sweet citrus production compared to ten or fifteen years ago.
Source: elcomercial.com.ar