Argentina Citrus Sector Update

Argentina’s citrus industry is stabilizing after years of high taxes and costs and declining profitability that reduced acreage and exports, according to a recent report by Argentina’s Federation of Citrus Producers (FEDERCITRUS). President Milei’s economic reforms have improved predictability, but the recovery remains slow due to structural debt and long-term imbalances.

Lemons:

Fresh lemon exports hit a low of 170,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024 after years of global oversupply and acreage cuts. Improved northern hemisphere supply conditions lifted 2025 exports to an estimated 215,000 MT (+26%), though they remain below the 250,000 MT levels common from 2015-2022. Argentina remains a global leader in lemon processing, with industrial use steady at around 1.4 million MT and expected to increase this season.

Mandarins:

Mandarins are the weakest segment due to high domestic costs, lack of trade agreements, and limited varietal renewal, which pushed Argentina out of key global markets. Exports remain very low at 24,000 MT, with only small volumes moving to Russia, Canada, Southeast Asia, and Brazil. The European market has been lost due to competitiveness, and the U.S. market remains closed. Weather disruptions in multiple seasons further constrained output.

Oranges:

Processing demand for oranges is strengthening due to shortages of orange juice in Brazil and the U.S., incentivizing industrial use. Fresh exports remain limited to around 6% of production or 75,000 MT in 2025. The EU receives about 20,000 MT annually, while exports to Paraguay fluctuate widely, with anywhere from 6,000–40,000 MT in low-value, informal trade.

Overall, fresh citrus exports in 2025 are projected to exceed 310,000 MT, up from below 300,000 MT in 2023–2024 but still short of the 350,000–400,000 MT range seen in stronger years. Further growth hinges on lower domestic costs, varietal investment, and anticipated labor and tax reforms under the strengthened Milei government.