Lemons are a major player in Argentina's economy. Argentina is the biggest producer of this product in the world, and annual per capita consumption of this fruit in the country is 3.9 kilos.
But that's not all. Argentina produces 1.6 million tons of lemons. In addition, the country is the world's leading lemon processor and the main exporter of concentrated juice, pulp, essential oil, and dehydrated lemon skins. Exports are in the order of 250,000 to 300,000 tons per year.
According to data from the Ministry of Agribusiness, Argentina accounts for 20.4% of the world production of lemons and 17.62% of exports. At the hemispheric level, it accounts for 66.19% of the production and 62.88% of exports.
Currently, the country has around 50,000 hectares planted with lemon trees. Tucuman accounts for 90% of the surface, while the remaining 10% is distributed among the provinces of Salta, Jujuy, and Corrientes. The average yield at the national level is 30 tons per hectare, but the best plantations can produce more than 60 tons per hectare.
In addition, the sector employs 50,000 people. 80% work in the harvest, which runs from March to September. 10% work in packaging and the remaining 10% work in farm maintenance and nurseries. Lemon crops can have two or three harvests. One of the advantages of the Argentine production is that it exports its lemons to Europe in the counter season.
Source: lanacion.com.ar