After almost 17 years of being absent from the United States due to previous trade restrictions, Argentinean lemons are returning to the U.S., and Vision Import Group LLC expects to receive its first shipment this week.

Ronnie Cohen, a principal at Vision Import Group, based in Hackensack, NJ, said there is great anticipation for Argentinean lemons in the market. Argentina is the world’s largest lemon-producing country with a reputation for superb quality fruit.Ronnie Cohen

“We are proud to be partnering with Citromax Group and feel privileged to be marketing the proprietary Citromax Green Label, which is their premium brand,” said Cohen. “Citromax is the third-largest processor in the world, with more than 13,000 acres of lemon orchards in Tucuman, Argentina, and recently invested $250,000 into their packinghouse and groves, which brings them into full compliance of the rigorous standards set by the USDA’s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service. Our strategic alliance with Citromax places us with the ability to provide high-quality fruit and with the highest standards that are unrivaled. The ability to place Argentinean fruit on the East Coast will allow us to deliver exceptional lemons from Argentina to the ultimate consumers.”

Cohen said the benefit of Citromax being a very large processor is that it enables the fresh pack to be of exceptional quality and achieve food-safety requirements.

By adding Argentina to its import programs, Vision Import Group now has year-round availability of lemons, with Mexican and Spanish campaigns covering the rest of the year.

Cohen said the year-round availability places lemons among the core items the company handles, along with limes, mangos, pineapples and plantains.