FGF Trapani executives foresee losses of 50 to 60% of total production from Tucumán for this campaign. Commercial Manager Fabricio Trapani warns that “there will be 30% less fresh lemon for export, while the industry will also suffer important shortages (roughly 60%), which are bound to lead to very high prices. Last year, FGF Trapani sent 50,000 tons of crushed lemons to the industry and 19,000 tons to fresh fruit exports. Forecasts for this year 2014 see the industry taking up between 25 and 30 thousand tons, while only approximately 12,000 tons of lemon will be set aside for fresh exports, maintaining their strict high quality parameters. But they remain unfazed, as this time there will be no oversupply of fruit or price slump, as happened in previous years. In terms of developments in international markets, Trapani highlighted the presence of their own brand in the Russian market, where it has achieved good positioning and large volumes, assuring that: “Despite the international political situation they are currently going through, for FGF Trapani Russia is and will continue to be a very important market worth investing in.” The Middle East was also mentioned, as the export share to this destination is steadily increasing year after year.
FGF Trapani is a prime example of a young Tucuman company, which in just 12 years has managed to position itself among the country’s leaders. Their fresh lemon supply is shipped overseas to countries like Russia, Ukraine, Eastern European countries, the European Union, Canada and Asia. The fruit channelled to the industrial sector is used to obtain derivatives such as dehydrated peel, essential oils and juice concentrates. They begin production earlier, with 450 hectares in Jujuy and 240 h in Salta, where they have a modern packing facility. They also purchase lemons from Tucumán farmers who rely on FGF Trapani’s impeccable management.