Drought in Argentina's key lemon-growing province means the harvest will be a month late this year, website Tucumanalas7.com.ar reported.

Tucuman Citrus Association chief Roberto Sánchez Loria told the website while it was estimated the harvest would begin mid-April, a good crop was still expected with minimal effects from the dry weather.

He said the delay would not cause any commercial problems as exports would still fall within the dates stipulated by international market clients.

He added the re-entry decision for Tucuman citrus in the U.S. market was very close.

"Then will come the politics where we will need the government's support to, with the North American authorities, manage the lifting of barriers that prevent us from accessing the market, which without a doubt is the most important, not just for their purchasing power but the demanded volumes we expect," he was quoted as saying.

Sánchez Loria said he was confident the effect of economic crisis on lemon sales would be minimal or zero, based on advantageous trade condiions.

www.freshfruitportal.com