Vivian Glueck, President of the Citromax Group of companies, recently announced that the company would be importing fresh lemon fruit into the US from the company’s Argentine-based lemon groves, with the first shipments departing Argentina last week and arriving in the US by mid-May. To support the company’s import activities, Citromax has invested more than US$250,000 into its lemon packing house in Tucumán.

Citromax is the third-largest lemon processor in the world, with more than 13,000 acres of lemon orchards in Tucumán, Argentina. Tucumán is well-known as the largest lemon growing region in the world, with a unique, sub-tropical climate that creates an optimal cultivation setting for lemons.

Glueck stated: “Citromax is the only American-owned lemon producer that is packing and selling lemons into the US retail market. We are thrilled that the recent lifting of trade restrictions has opened up the US market, and we are moving ahead with bringing the highest quality lemon fruit to American consumers.”

Glueck also noted that: “With the recent enhancements to our facility, we are fully compliant with the rigorous standards for packaging set by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).”

The Argentine lemons will be packed and marketed under one of Citromax’s proprietary brands. The company will be working with key strategic importers, including Seald Sweet/Greenyard, Oppy and Vision import Group. These importers have been selected to manage commercial distribution across the US because of their expertise in the market.

The import of Argentine fresh lemons into the US has had a long and challenging history. For decades, legislation prohibited importation of Argentine Lemons. In the early 2000s, the market opened briefly, only to be closed again by court order. Now, with the American government’s removal of the restrictions, domestic consumers can enjoy the outstanding freshness and flavor of Tucumán lemons during the peak months of summer consumption.

Glueck added: “Citromax was there when the market opened before, and we are back again now. We plan to support this market for generations to come.”