Brazilian Company to Export Lemons to Argentina via Paraguay

Paraguay shipped its first-ever cargo of Tahiti limes to Argentina in late January, marking a milestone for local growers and exporters. The 26-tonne shipment represents an emerging product that is set to further diversify the country’s export portfolio.

Christian Elías, an agronomist and director of Frutibras—the company responsible for this inaugural shipment—emphasized the significance of the moment. According to him, Frutibras initially operated as an importer but is now evolving into an exporter, driven by Paraguay’s growing domestic production.

“This is a major achievement for the company, for farmers, and for the country,” said Elías, alongside fellow agronomist Beatriz Ibáñez, who was also involved in the operation. “We are breaking away from traditional pathways. If we once used to say, ‘your orange groves and their blossoms, forever in memory,’ now we are bringing that vision back. That’s our goal.”

Frutibras is a Brazilian-owned agricultural company operating in Paraguay. It was founded in the 1990s by José Marcos Sarabia, an agronomist from Paraná, Brazil. At the time, Sarabia saw a business opportunity in Paraguay and, in 1993, partnered with his brother, Paulo Sérgio, to establish Agrofertil, a company focused on distributing agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides, and seeds. Another key figure in the group is Antonio Ivar Sarabia. Today, the company also trades soybeans, corn, wheat, and rice, maintaining 27 offices across Paraguay, in addition to its headquarters in Ciudad del Este.

Elías highlighted that shipping this product to the Argentine market was the result of years of work to improve quality standards in line with Paraguay’s increasing demands as a producing nation. He noted that the effort involved not only companies but also local growers, who were trained in better farming practices. Additionally, Paraguay’s National Plant and Seed Quality and Health Service (Senave) played a crucial role in opening up this new export market.

While quality was a key factor in securing this breakthrough, market conditions—marked by low supply and high demand in Argentina—also played a role in making the shipment possible.

“The doors opened thanks to growers, businesses, and all the authorities who supported the idea from the very beginning when we first proposed exporting alongside local producers,” Elías added.

Paraguay’s lime industry is still relatively small compared to major global producers. The country produces around 10,000 tonnes of limes per season. By contrast, Brazil, a key player in the worldwide citrus market, produces 1.6 million tonnes per season but exports only a fraction—around 160,000 tonnes.

Elías explained that once export negotiations were underway, all phytosanitary requirements were met, including harvest certifications, packaging, labeling, and other regulatory standards necessary to ensure compliance with international quality benchmarks.

More Lime Shipments on the Way

While favorable market conditions helped pave the way for this first shipment, Elías confirmed that additional cargoes will be sent to Argentina. “What we’ve done now—and why this is a true turning point—is open a door that will remain open moving forward.”

For Elías, this first shipment is just the beginning, provided there is sufficient product supply. He confirmed that more Tahiti lime shipments are planned for the coming months, each with a volume similar to the initial 26-tonne cargo.

However, for Paraguay to scale up lime exports, Elías pointed out that access to financing remains a critical challenge across the entire agricultural sector. He stressed the need for public policies that provide financial tools and incentives to help local businesses grow into major exporters, generating jobs and increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

Source: Forbes

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