THE DECIDUOUS FRUIT INDUSTRY OF ARGENTINA 



By Robert S. FitzSimmonds , 

 Fruit and Vegetable Division 



INTRODUCTION 



The deciduous fruit industry in Argentina 

 has developed during the past 25 years. Dur- 

 ing its first 10 years, it developed sufficient 

 production and export volume to convert the 

 country from a net innporter to a net exporter 

 of deciduous fruit. The industry has continued 

 to grow steadily although slowly, despite two 

 major deterrents in recent years. World War 

 II closed off export markets except for near- 

 by South American countries and the Peron 

 regime was not sympathetic to the problems 

 of agriculture. 



During the Perdn rule it was virtually im- 

 possible for fruit growers and shippers to ob- 

 tain any consideration of their needs. Con- 

 sequently, the industry stood still during 

 nnuch of the time between 1939 and 1956, in- 

 sofar as modernization of methods and facili- 

 ties is concerned. Some of the major prob- 

 lems still besetting the industry are inadequate 

 transportation, machinery shortages, insuf- 

 ficient cold storage capacity in producing 

 zones, and, in certain areas, substantial 

 labor troubles. 



Despite these problems, Argentina is now 

 one of the major fruit producing countries in 

 the Southern Hemisphere. On the basis of 

 production, it holds first place; but on the 

 basis of export trade, it does not hold such a 

 commanding position; much of the fruit pro- 

 duced in the country is consumed domestically. 



TA3i-:l 1. --Apples and pears: Production and 

 Hanisphere, 1955- 



exports b; 

 57 



country. 



Southern 



Country 



^jples 



Pears 



1956^ 



1957^ 



1956^ 



1957^ 



Production: 



Argentina 



Australia 



Chile 



New Zealand 



l.oco bu. 



15,200 



11,300 



2,000 



3,400 



1,500 



i.ooo bu. 

 12,600 

 13,500 

 2,100 

 3,500 

 2,300 



1,000 fru. 



4,400 



4,100 



200 



500 



1,400 



l.ooo bu. 



5,000 



4,400 



200 



600 



1,300 









1955 



1956 



1955 



1956 



Bcports: 



Argentina 



Australia 



Chile 



2,900 



4,500 



300 



900 



1,X0 



2,300 

 4,800 

 300 

 1,300 

 1,400 



800 



1,500 



26 



1 

 1,100 



1,300 



1,000 



38 



40 



1,000 



New Zealand 



Itaion of South Africa 



^ Year beginning January 1. 



The leading deciduous fruits produced in 

 Argentina are apples, pears, peaches, and 

 grapes. Apples and pears are grown for ex- 

 port as fresh fruit; peaches are chiefly for 

 canning. Grapes are shipped both fresh for 



table use and as raisins. In addition, apri- 

 cots, quinces, and plums and prunes are 

 produced but generally do not figure in the 

 export trade in large quantities. 



Argentine deciduous fruits find markets 

 throughout the world, with major outlets in 

 Brazil, Venezuela, northern Europe and 

 Scandinavia, and the United States. 



In recent years, Argentine fruit exporters 

 have been concentrating on extending the ex- 

 port season. With the ever increasing pro- 

 duction, particularly of apples, and some 

 increase in cold storage space, their efforts 

 have been very successful. 



If forecasts on production are correct and 

 present hopes for additional storage space 

 are realized, this trend will likely continue 

 for apples. Also, after a few years, when the 

 expected increase in pear production occurs, 

 the same trend should be noticeable in pear 

 exports. 



Apples 



Apples are grown in the Rio Negro Valley, 

 Mendoza Province and the Delta and Buenos 

 Aires section, but are packed for export only 

 in the Rio Negro and Mendoza, the most im- 

 portant apple areas. 



A breakdown of acreage or tree numbers 

 by variety was not available. However, Red 

 Delicious is the leading variety inmost areas, 

 particularly those packing for export. Other 

 important varieties are Rome Beauty, Jona- 

 than, and King David. In the Delta, a green 

 apple, normally russeted on one cheek and 

 known as Dirty Face, is grown in large vol- 

 ume for the domestic market and is in good 

 dennand. 



The San Rafael area of Mendoza Province 

 packs a very attractive apple which is com- 

 pletely acceptable in export markets. How- 

 ever, fruit fronn the Rio Negro is nnore true 

 to varietal characteristics and frequently of 

 higher color. 



Pears 



The leading producing section for pears is 

 the Rio Negro Valley. Mendoza and the Delta 

 also grow some. 



The leading variety in volume is Williams 

 (Bartlett) and, being an early variety, is 

 packed in quantity for export. However, be- 

 cause of its quality, longer storage life, 

 and ability to withstand the rigors of long 



