Over 60% of lemon production might be lost due to gasoil shortage

Since the beginning of the year, the lemon sector of the Province of Corrientes (Argentina) has suffered the consequences of the war in Ukraine. The process of exporting fruit to Europe is complicated and domestic demand is insufficient to absorb the surplus of fruit.

The gasoil deficit that Argentina faces became even more severe in the north of the country and meant that Corrientes citrus growers could no longer pay the freight to supply their production to distant destinations.

For example, in the department of Bella Vista in the Paraná River basin, many producers began to dump lemons in the lower fields. Citrus production in this area is carried out in the 4,500 hectares of plantations dedicated almost exclusively to lemons, which are in full harvest season.

According to the secretary of the Association of Citrus Growers of Bella Vista, Oscar Barbera, the current situation is critical. Normally, they harvest about 40.000 tons of fruit in the period from May to July. This year, they calculate that some 25.000 tons will remain on the ground.

Barbera specified that the diesel available is not even enough for the internal movement. The shortage is such, he says, that the producers cannot transport the fruit from the farms to the sheds.

Given this scenario, the Coordinator of Productive Entities of Corrientes (CEP) asks the authorities to intervene in the matter.

source: revistainternos.com.ar