Between January and early June 2018 Uruguay exported 30,000 tons of mandarins, oranges, and lemons for 20 million dollars.
60% of the citrus fruit was sent to the United States, 20% to the European Union, and the remaining to Russia, Brazil, Canada, the Arab Emirates, and other markets.
According to the Director of Agricultural Services of Uruguay, Federico Montes, the opening of the US market for Uruguayan citrus fruits with higher prices and lower import tariffs than the European Union allowed the sector to increase its export volume and revenues.
"The export of mandarins to the United States showed how important the opening of that market in 2010," he stated.
The US market offers greater guarantees for Uruguay as it has zero import tariffs and higher sales prices, he said, adding that the European block had a 16% tariff on citrus varieties.
Montes also said that the Uruguayan citrus sector produced 280 to 300 thousand tons of citrus per year and achieved exports that amounted to 80 to 100 million dollars a year.
Regarding the sector's growth expectations, Montes said Uruguay should explore alternatives in China.
"China has expressed interest in acquiring valencia oranges, which are produced in July and August, have a good taste, and fewer seeds," he said.
He also said they wanted to venture into other complementary markets, such as the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Mexico.
Source: EFE