Shipments of lemons into North America from Argentina continue to increase.
Salix Fruits is a year-round lemon supplier shipping currently from Argentina as well as Chile (May to September) but also moving lemons from Mexico (August -December), Turkey (November-February) and Spain which overlaps with Argentina. “Argentina is getting more confidence in the market,” says Alejandro Moralejo, CEO of Salix, noting this season, double the volume of lemons are coming.
Argentina is getting more confidence in the market and this season will send double the volume of lemons.
Shipments from Argentina pair nicely with lemons from Chile says Moralejo. “Argentina has bigger fruit and the larger sizes of Chilean fruit are smaller so the two countries compliment each other,” says Vince Biasibetti from Salix, adding that it also ships other citrus year-round from countries such as Peru, Chile, South Africa, Colombia, Morocco and more.
Opportunity for South America
This season, Argentinian lemons are arriving at a time when they might be particularly well received. This month and next will see more limited supplies of lemons from Mexico. “And California also has less production and their transportation costs have increased,” says Biasibetti. “South American lemons could be more competitive in the East.”
At the same time, lemons, a popular foodservice item, saw demand affected last year due to the lack of foodservice business. “But now with foodservice reopening, this will increase demand for lemons,” says Biasibetti. Foodservice coming back means there’ll be more of a home for small and medium lemon sizes as well as Choice grade lemons, reserving Fancy grade for retail.
Foodservice coming back means there’ll be more of a home for small and medium lemon sizes as well as Choice grade lemons, reserving Fancy grade for retail.
As for pricing, Moralejo notes lemons are back to historical levels of pricing. “Last year was tough because in the last part of the season, the volume on small sizes collapsed the market,” says Moralejo. “This year the market is moving, there’s good balance between supply and demand and the prices are correct. I hope it’s a more stable year for lemons because last year was a roller coaster.”
For more information:
Salix Fruits
goodnews@salixfruits.com
www.salixfruits.com