Next year, citrus producers from Padilla, Güémez and Victoria, could start by exporting 10,000 tons of orange and manderins to the United States after the fruit fly was eradicated in several of these Mexican municipalities.
Humberto Ramirez Vazquez, head of Plant Health Program SAGARPA reported that currently producers in this area send about 1,200 tons of Valencia oranges to the U.S. market annually. The actions that have been made in the program to combat fruit flies will allow them to have more free pest areas and exports could reach 10,000 tons in 2013.
"We believe that with these measures we can export 8,000 tons of Valencia orange and 2,000 tons of mandarin, which would be sold in the state of Texas."
He said that they just need to get the declaration of eradication phase of about 3,000 hectares of citrus planted in the municipalities of Padilla, Güémez and Victoria.
"There are only 15 weeks left in order to fulfil a year that has not registered the capture of one single fruit fly in this citrus region."
Vázquez Ramírez said he is sure he will reach the goal, which has producers very optimistic since the economic benefit achieved will be vital to get out of the crisis that the current orange price is in.
The federal official said Tamaulipas' producers are also exploring the markets of Korea and Germany, where about 300 tons of orange were sent last year with very good acceptance.
Source: Gaceta.mx