Based on the citrus fruit that has entered the Central Market of Buenos Aires (MCBA), the beginning of the 2018 season has been very favorable for the grapefruits from the regions of Salta and Jujuy, which have reached their minimum ratio and the percentage of juice required for the domestic market.
According to the MCBA bulletin, the grapefruit achieved this values between weeks 8 and 9 in the Flame variety with red pulp, and the Foster Seedless variety with pink pulp. According to the Argentine Regulation for citrus fruits, the minimum ratio or ripeness index for grapefruit is 4.5: 1 and the minimum percentage of juice of 30%. In week 12 the region made grapefruit shipments to Uruguay with ratios higher than 5: 1 and more than 35% juice.
The mandarins of the Satsumas and Okitsu varieties sent to the domestic market exceeded the minimum 7.1 ratio and 30% of juice standards, while the lemon exported achieved juice values of 30 and 35%. In general, the lemon companies are in the preliminary processes to export, as they are working well and complying with all the requirements of the Protocol with the United States.
In the oranges sector, the harvest for the domestic market started with early varieties, such as the Marss Early, Trovita, and Hamlin varieties, which achieved the minimum maturity values required for the domestic market, which are of 6: 1 ratio and 35% of juice.
Argentina's citrus activity is mainly located in two regions, the Northwest (Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca) and the Northeast (Formosa, Chaco Corrientes, Misiones, and Entre Rios) and in the town of San Pedro de Buenos Aires, in a total area of 132,346 hectares. This activity is important due to the area devoted to it, the technological level it has achieved, the industries installed, the jobs it generates, the number of packaging sheds and the exporting companies there are in the sector.
55% of the total area planted with citrus in the province of Jujuy corresponds to oranges, 20% to mandarins, 3% to grapefruit, and 22% to lemons.
Health issues
During the beginning of the 2018 campaign there has been a lower incidence of Black Spot, Scab, Brown Rot (Phythophthora) and Penicilium or molds in early varieties. However, it will be necessary to wait until later, in case the rains persist, to check if there is greater incidence of these pests in late fruit, including the evolution of canker in grapefruit and oranges.
The premature fall of fruit has also been lower than in other campaigns, while the incidence of fruit fly damage in extra early varieties of sweet citrus fruits in untreated areas is high.
So far in the 2018 season the rains have been helping the crops, however producers in Jujuy and Salta are using irrigation to supply the water deficit at specific moments.
In some areas, the rains at the end of February and March affected the beginning of the harvest for the scoop varieties; they are especially harmful for lemon crops, where they can cause oleocellosis and rotting issues.