The demand for seedless mandarins has grown significantly in recent years, especially in the United States. "In Uruguay, producers have implemented strategies to improve efficiency, standardize quality, and reduce export times," stated Marcos Araujo, commercial manager of Frutura Uruguay, reflecting a change in the citrus market.
Frutura Uruguay exports around 10,000 tons of citrus annually, 85% of which are mandarins. Its main markets are the United States, accounting for 75% of its exports, Brazil, and Canada. "Our expansion plans are ambitious: by 2028-2029 we expect to reach a volume of 40,000 tons per year," Marcos stated.
"The company's growth is based on a varietal replacement strategy, which involves the complete renewal of plantations and the conversion of existing trees to shorten production times. We are in a transformation process to improve quality and increase our production capacity in the coming years," he added.
Seedless mandarins have gained prominence in the international market, boosting the demand for the Clementina, Clemenules, Murcott, Tango, and Orri varieties, he stressed. "In addition, Uruguayan citrus fruits stand out for their color and flavor. The United States continues to be the main destination, with competition from South Africa, Chile, and Peru. There is greater logistical and climatic pressure, driving investments in technology, certifications, and reduction of transit times," he said.
The company faces logistics challenges such as high maritime transit times. "Currently, shipments to the United States take between 28 and 30 days, which can affect the freshness of the product. We are working with Uruguayan exporters to reduce transit times to 22-25 days through direct shipments from ports in southern Brazil, "Marcos stated.
Another challenge has been the impact of the weather on production. "Last year we had low temperatures that affected some areas. It will take a couple of years for things to normalize, but we maintain a constant growth projection," he said.
The company is in the process of obtaining a B Corp certification, an international standard that validates its ethical and environmental practices. "We want to be a sustainable company, not only in our production but also in our social responsibility," Marcos concluded.
For more information:
Marcos Araujo, Manager
Frutura Uruguay
Tel: +598 99 130 828
Email: [email protected]
www.fruturauruguay.com
www.fruturaproduce.com