The citrus industry lost up to 70% of production. In Alto Valle of Rio Negro and Neuquén (Argentina) fruit cultivation registered a loss in exports of USD 70 million in the last campaign.
Referring to the coastal region, Elvio Jose Calgaro, head of the Citrus Federation of Entre Rios (FeCiER) said, "we have been having a summer with temperatures between 20° and 30°, and two to three days we had temperatures of between -4° and -7°. The citrus industry is not prepared to resist so much cold."
The agency estimated losses of between 50% and 70%.
"The situation is severe and the consequences are serious. When I say serious, it is not only for productivity, but we also must take into account the amount of jobs that this industry creates."
In addition, the head of Entre Rios stressed, "the area of Bella Vista (Corrientes) where there are lemon plantations which were also affected. I think that some part of the production in Misiones was saved, but undoubtedly, this is a difficult year."
"According information from INTA, we must go back to '67 or to the early '30s to see similar damage," he said.
When asked about the direct consequences, Calgaro pointed out that "the harm caused by a freeze of this magnitude can be felt at fruit and vegetable stands."
"When fruit freezes juice is lost. So we call on producers who are desperate to save some part of their production and not to sell fruit that is not suitable for business, because this can be taken as deception on the dealers part," he warned.
However, he said that "there are lots on the same farm that received less damage from the frost, with fruits that are in perfect condition for consumption. In the jargon of the milk industry it is said that whoever is burned with milk sees a cow and cries, and here whoever is deceived with fruit burned by frost, won't want to go shopping again at the fruit and vegetable stand and this will make it worse."
"The only thing left to do here is to try to recover the plantations, so as to not lose so many acres and re-start," he indicated.
On the other geographical side, producers from Alto Valle of Rio Negro and Neuquén accumulated losses due to poor export compliance, about 70 million tons.
Since May, there were restrictions from Brazil on the entry of pears and apples, and so for every week without sales to the main Mercosur partner, about USD 4 million are lost.
In addition, the hail that affected more than 6,500 acres further complicated the situation in Patagonia.
Source: Mzol