In a significant move to bolster the citrus industry, the Government of El Salvador, under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, is actively supporting farmers in San Juan Opico who have successfully entered the international lemon market. This initiative is poised to provide expanded opportunities for agriculturalists in the region.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), led by Vice Minister Oscar Dominguez, is at the forefront of promoting assistance to various productive sectors in the country, ensuring food security and stimulating economic growth.
San Juan Opico, located in La Libertad, is home to over 5,000 acres of lemon orchards, producing green, yellow, and mandarin varieties. A recent shipment of green lemons to the United States marked a milestone for local citrus farmers, with Vice Minister Dominguez personally informing them of the government’s commitment to providing labor support, direct commercial opportunities both domestically and internationally, and access to specialized technical assistance.
Dominguez emphasized that Salvadoran lemons are renowned for their exceptional quality in the region, attributing this to the favorable local climate and fertile soils.
“Our lemons, whether green or yellow, are of high quality due to our unique climate. I encourage other national citrus farmers to reach out to us to expand their production as well,” stated the official.
While the primary goal is to solidify the export of the product, there is also a concerted effort to meet local demand. Dominguez underscored the government’s commitment to fortifying this sector for national supply and continued international exports.
“As a government, we are strategically focusing on enhancing this sector to meet both national demands and sustain our export ventures,” he affirmed.
With El Salvador’s citrus sector poised for growth, the government’s support is set to catalyze economic development and contribute significantly to the country’s agricultural success.