Camagüey- Cuba.- The citrus plantation in the Valle de Cubitas in the northern part of the province of Camaguey harvested over 4 900 tons since January and a large part went to the production of concentrated juices to export.
Leidi Conde, representative of the Sola Citrus and Agriculture and Poultry Company told ACN News Agency that out of this amount, 22 percent more than expected, some 3 380 tons were transported to the Ceballos industrial center in Ciego de Avila province to prepare the merchandize that will be
exported to Europe.
They also harvested Some 1 500 tons of the organic fruits which garner doble its traditional price in international markets compare with the cultivations by traditional methods.
This is the only region in Cuba where citrus is collected in ecological camps. These plantations do not use industrial compose in its fertilization and in plague treatment but rather organic material, manual
control and biological means in its care.
The so called clean productions are collected in 225 hectares dedicated to this purpose. In addition to supplying to the industry in Ciego de Avila, the company also exports almost all of its oranges and grapefruits to the country´s tourist industry as well as its domestic market, which according to specialists is still not enough.
Martha Aries, worker of one of the construction companies, said that in the markets where they usually purchase agricultural products they have witnessed a reduced amount of oranges being sold.
Although the sellers offered larger oranges, I purchased smaller ones, he added.
In the 12 production centers –without including one that promoted citrus- close 8 thousand 850 tons of oranges, grapefruit and Persa limes will be collected this year. This figure is much less than the almost 12 thousand 900 selected last year.
Leidi Conde explained that the agricultural yield of the plantations is considerably low due to the effects of an ailment of Asian origin commonly known as Yellow Dragon that uses an insect as its carrier.
