All Lemon Issues Statement Following Heavy Rainfall In Northern Argentina

ARGENTINA – Heavy rainfall in the north of Argentina since the start of the year has complicated the harvesting procedures required for the start of the new 2015 lemon season. This area represents 95% of Argentina’s lemon production and is where ALL LEMON, the quality seal for exported lemons from Argentina, carries out its inspection work.

The extent of the delay is difficult to determine at present due to the prevailing conditions and taking into account the weather forecast for the coming days which indicates huge climatic instability.

Although the lemon groves in Tucumán have recovered from 2014, they have still not returned to what would be considered to be normal production levels. Furthermore, commitments have been made to processing contractors that must be upheld.

“This season we shall have larger volumes of lemons compared with 2014, which is a positive step forwards as it puts us in a better position to meet the demand for our product," explains Romain Corneille, president of ALL LEMON.

“With regards to the crop itself, the heavy rains that we have experienced blocked the entrances to some of our farms and destroyed bridges throughout the region, causing obstructions to many roads and routes, in addition to causing rivers to break their banks.

“Inevitably, this has made it difficult for growers to access their groves which has created delays and generated additional production costs. We have had to be patient, cautious and responsible with regards to the handling of our fruit and to work in as professional a manner as possible.”

Despite these circumstances ALL LEMON Tested & Certified for Export continues to work hard in order to assure its clients that the greatest care is being taken so they have full confidence in the fact that the lemons they have ordered will meet the highest quality standards.

“Above all, our aim is to reassure the marketplace and the clients that we work with; to offer them the greatest of guarantees possible that they will receive only the best quality fruit that meets the standards that ALL LEMON stands for,” notes Carlos Parravicini, vice-president of ALL LEMON.
Macroeconomic situation

The current world economy is also having an impact on the lemon season in Argentina this year. Russia, one of Argentina’s main export markets, is experiencing an abrupt devaluation of its currency in relation to the US dollar.
“At the same time, in Argentina there is a marked contrast between the stability of the value of the dollar and the continual and systematic increases in production costs as a result of rising inflation and a situation that changes daily which we have to navigate with astuteness, caution, thoroughness and responsibility," states Corneille.

"Managing the impact of the weather is part of our job in ensuring that only the best quality fruit reaches our export markets.

“Europe, which will account for the majority of lemon exports this year, is also suffering from a devaluation of the euro against the dollar, with a major decline in the value of the euro over 2014.

“No detail is spared when it comes to controlling the quality of the fruit that we ship overseas. We take into account the needs of each and every client and we shall continue to do so regardless of the financial complications that some markets are experiencing right now. We are proud of our product and motivated by the positive outcome of the work that we do," concludes Corneille.

 
About ALL LEMON – Tested & Certified for Export

ALL LEMON – Tested & Certified for Export is the quality seal for Argentinean lemon exports that was created in 2010 by the main lemon producers, packers and exporters in the country, especially those from the province of Tucumán which ranks as the leading lemon production area in the world.

The aim of ALL LEMON is to standardise and homogenise the quality of exported lemons from Argentina. To achieve this, a protocol was created and designed which outlines the determined parameters that must be met when selecting lemons for export.

This protocol was established by independent bodies with experience in the Food Division of the Secretariat for Food and Agriculture in Tucumán and by the Ministry for Productive Development in Tucumán. A team of independent professionals carries out detailed controls five times per week at every packhouse involved in the scheme.

In 2014 ALL LEMON successfully passed the quality certification audit leading to international ISO 9001-2008 certification.

The main attributes that make ALL LEMON-certified fruit so special include: safety, traceability, long shelf-life, high juice content and a strong cosmetic appearance.

The companies certified by ALL LEMON are: Argenti Lemon, Cauquén, Cecilia Martínez Zuccardi, Citromax, Citrusvil, Expofrut Argentina-Univeg, F.G.F. Trapani, Frutucumán, Juan Sigstad SRL, La Moraleja SA, La Patria SRL, Latin Lemon, Ledesma, Moño Azul, Pablo Padilla and San Miguel.

ALL LEMON's audited members also comply with international certifications for quality, including GlobalGAP, among others.

As an organisation, ALL LEMON is open for membership to other Argentinean exporters who wish to use the quality seal.

For more information about ALL LEMON, visit: www.all-lemon.com

For more information about THINK LEMON, visit: www.thinklemon.net

Source: ALL LEMON