Alert in Tucumán citrus industry: the vector that transmits an incurable disease was found on a farm

He National Service for Food Safety and Quality of Argentina (SENASA) confirmed the detection of the insect diaphorina citriwhich transmits the dangerous disease huanglongbing (HLB)on a citrus farm in Tucuman and alarm bells have been ringing in the sector, which has been going through a crisis scenario in recent years due to the drop in the sale of fresh lemons abroad and is heading in the same direction for industrial products. “It is the most serious scenario since 2014,” he said. Pablo Padilla, president of the NOA Citrus Association (ACNOA).

The national agency reported that the vector was found on a farm located in the town of Caspinchango50 kilometers south of Saint Michael of Tucumanone of the areas of the Tucuman foothills where citrus activity for commercial purposes was most developed. “It is the first time that the insect has been found in a plantation because until now there have only been findings in urban areas. This forces us to reinforce all controls because HLB is a disease that affects citrus and so far has no cure,” said a Tucuman technician from SENASA to Ámbito.

Due to this scenario, in recent days prevention actions against what is being done have been intensified. “the most serious disease for citrus farming”These tasks, which include work over the weekend, are coordinated by the Emergency Committee made up of SENASA, the Obispo Colombres Agricultural Experimental Station (EEAOC), the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), the Secretariat of Production of Tucumán and the Phytosanitary Association of Northwest Argentina (AFINOA), it was reported.

In dialogue with Scopebusinessman Padilla, reported that the sector is closely following the situation but, still, with the peace of mind that Tucumán is free of HLB. The outbreaks detected in recent years are in Missions, Formosa, Chaco, Santiago del Estero, Corrientes and Entre Rios“We are on alert due to the detection of the vector, which adds to the crisis that the activity is going through, which is, without a doubt, the most serious since 2014,” he said.

According to the businessman, although the harvest will be finished in the next three weeks and the final numbers will be known, a 35% drop in fresh fruit exportswhere there are 12,000 hectares whose fate next year is still unknown, as these farms are virtually abandoned. “It is cheaper to leave the lemons on the plants than to harvest them,” he explained.

Asked about the origin of the decline in export volumes, he said there are multiple factors, ranging from the tightening of phytosanitary requirements to trade defense measures imposed by countries that are the destination of the region’s lemons. In some cases, these actions are the result of protectionist lobbies that promote the raising of barriers to defend local products, he said.

“If this situation is not reversed, Tucuman “It is heading straight for losing preponderance in industrial products derived from lemon, as has already happened with fresh fruit,” he said. For Padilla, “it is more essential than ever that there is a space for consensus, like the one I supported a few months ago – the creation of the Institute for the Growth and Promotion of Lemons (IFL)– which did not advance and reality shows that it is necessary. It is a tool that would allow, also with the participation of the State, to reach agreements that private activity alone could not achieve,” he said. “If we do not act quickly, those who will lose will be the producers and owners of smaller packaging companies, it will be a case of every man for himself,” he added.

Less lemon farms

The crisis in the sector was reflected in the results of the latest work of the Remote Sensing and GIS (Geographic Information System) Group of the INTA Famaillathrough digital processing of satellite images. According to these studies, the total surface area with citrus trees in Tucuman During the 2024 campaign it is 42,317 hectares, that is, it registered a reduction of 7.52%, because in 2023 the figure was 45,759 hectares.

According to the analysis of the data, the citrus activity in Tucumán contracted by 3,442 hectares and the departments where this impact was most felt were Burruyacuwith a decrease of 1,145 ha; Tafi Viejo The reduction in production in the provinces of La Paz and Chicligasta decreased by 525 ha and in Chicligasta by 408 ha. Overall, reductions of between 4% and 13% were recorded in all departments. “Today farms with unharvested lemons are being torn down, it is a shame and a sign that the sector must reconvert,” said Padilla. Where to? he asked. Scope“We need to generate industrialized products, such as obtaining high-purity citric acid and a solution of natural sugars, which are in high demand in the food and beverage industry worldwide,” he concluded.