After 10 years, a cooperative of 300 producers from Misiones has managed to make its first export of mandarins to Brazil.
Argentina couldn't sell its mandarins, oranges, grapefruits, and lemons to Brazil due to sanitary reasons. Last year, after many efforts, Brazil has again agreed to admit exports.
Argentina first exported 1,400 boxes of lemons to Brazil in 2017 through the border crossing of São Borja. Later, other companies in the sector exported less than 50 tons of oranges to Brazil.
Now, the Cooperativa Agroindustrial de Misiones Citrícola Limitada, which is based in Leandro N. Alem, exported 960 boxes of Nadorcott mandarins under the Cataratas brand to Brazil.
The merchandise will be distributed in São Paulo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro, among other cities. In addition, the cooperative placed 700 boxes of oranges under the Mifrut brand.
"The Brazilian market was reopened thanks to the steps taken by the Government, though it took 10 years of efforts," said Carlos Satur, the president of the cooperative.
In Misiones, citrus production occupies more than 6,000 hectares with around 800 producers. Meanwhile, the citrus activity in Entre Rios and Corrientes adds another 60,000 hectares. The NEA accounts for 20% of the country's production.
According to Mariano Caprarulo, executive director of the Chamber of Exporters of Citrus of the NEA, Brazil is a very interesting market due to its proximity. "Brazil has been paying for Uruguay's premium fruit for years. We have to achieve sales there. We continue to be expensive because of our internal costs," the executive said.
"We are preparing for next year; in addition, we must speed things up at the border, which is slow," said Caprarulo.
Source: lanacion.com.ar