President Luis Lacalle Pou, accompanied by Minister Fernando Mattos, Undersecretary Ignacio Buffa and the Director of the General Directorate of Natural Resources, Martín Mattos, participated in the inauguration of the 2024 Citrus Harvest in Villa Constitución, Department of Salto. During the visit, the authorities toured the plantations together with operators and producers, highlighting the potential of this sector for the national economy.
The potential of the citrus activity
The Minister Fernando Mattos highlighted the important role played by citrus production in Uruguay, pointing out that "it is developed on 13,000 hectares, but has a huge export potential of 100 million dollars". This area, according to Mattos, represents a joint effort between companies, government officials and the government, and offers significant opportunities for economic growth and job creation in the country
Mattos emphasized the positive impact that the growth of the citrus growing area would have on the local labor force, stating that "would imply a greater development of the labor force that will generate the welfare of those who depend on the activity". This recognition of the sector's potential by the national authorities is an important boost for producers and workers in the sector.
Contribution to employment and exports
According to data from the most recent citrus survey of the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, citrus production reaches 245,000 tons in 2023with an area under cultivation of 13,289 hectares. The tangerine has become the species with the largest planted area, representing 42% of the total. In addition, citrus production directly generates around 4,000 jobs on average.
As for exports, these accounted for $63 million in 2023, with an exported volume of almost 68,500 tons. The United States was the main destination for citrus, followed by the European Union and Brazil. In addition, Uruguay has obtained authorizations to export mandarins to Vietnam and has updated phytosanitary protocols to export new citrus species to China.
The Zafra Citrícola not only represents an important economic activity for Uruguay, but also an engine for development and job creation in various regions of the country.
