Argentine stone fruit exports plunge 44% this season

Between October and April, Argentina exported only 4,803 tons of fresh stone fruit, marking a sharp drop of 44% compared to the previous cycle, according to SENASA data. The volume is also below the average recorded in the three previous seasons.

The drop responds to a combination of factors: less harvest, loss of quality due to climatic effects and lower competitiveness in international markets. Although the country produced a similar amount of peaches as in previous years (about 110,000 tons), a large part ended up in the canning industry due to quality problems, leaving little margin for export.

Peaches were the most affected, with 2,805 tons exported (46% less than last year), followed by plums, with 1,237 tons, and nectarines, which barely exceeded 761 tons and suffered the largest relative drop (-54%).

Brazil continues to be the main destination for Argentine fresh plums, absorbing more than 80% of shipments. But most of the national production of these fruits stays in the country or goes to the industry, leaving foreign trade as a secondary channel.

source: masp.lmneuquen.com

photo: news.agrofy.com.ar