Argentina: Citrus Semi-annual
Production of fresh lemons in MY 2015/2016 is forecast to rebound to normal levels of 1.5 MMT as a result of favorable weather conditions. Fresh orange production is projected to decrease to 800,000 MT and fresh tangerine production will go down to 350,000 MT, compared tp official USDA estimates, due to severe floods in the main sweet citrus growing region of Argentina. Lemon exports are projected to remain stable at 230,000 MT from official estimates. Orange exports are estimated to decrease to 60,000 MT, and tangerine exports are expected to remain unchanged at 50,000 MT, as a result of decreased export competitiveness in international markets. Lemon domestic consumption will remain stable at 70,000 MT. Orange and tangerine consumption is estimated to decrease to 470,000 MT and 190,000 MT, respectively, due to lower production.