The Argentine Government has created a monitoring system for exports of concentrated lemon juice destined for the United States, through the Resolution 18 / 2025.
The measure, published today (06.02.2025) in the Official Gazette, is aimed at Argentine exporters adhering to the Agreement to Suspend the Investigation of Antidumping Duties on this product. According to the attached list, said agreement and its amendment have 15 signatory companies.
The Suspension Agreement covered almost all Argentine exporters of concentrated lemon juice, establishing reference prices. Renewed in 2022 for a period of five years, The agreement was modified in January 2025 due to non-compliance caused by international price volatility. The addendum introduced updated reference prices, adjustment mechanisms and an export monitoring system to ensure compliance. These modifications were formally communicated on January 24, 2025, and published in the U.S. Federal Register.
The commentary of the rule also explains that these Argentine exporting companies requested the National Government, through the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, "the implementation of an export monitoring system to guarantee compliance with the Suspension Agreement and maintain access to the US market."
This system, “based on a transparent scheme aligned with the WTO, seeks to ensure that exports comply with the requirements of the destination.” Any failure to comply with the agreement could result in its termination and the imposition of high anti-dumping duties, putting the continuity of exports to the US at risk.
In 2023, Argentina was the main supplier of concentrated lemon juice to the US, with a 34% share, a percentage that increased to 37% in 2024, according to official data.
Consequently, the monitoring system will cover 100% of the annual exports of concentrated lemon juice in its various processing modalities, covering the tariff items 2009.39.00.110 (clarified frozen concentrated juice), 2009.39.00.190 (other concentrated lemon juices) and 2009.31.00.000 (other non-concentrated sour juices). Its validity will be subject to the duration of the Suspension Agreement.
Regarding the affected companies, the rule determines that “only companies that signed the 2016 Suspension Agreement and its amendment may export under this regime. These companies must have signed the latest revision of the agreement and have filed the corresponding documentation with the US Department of Commerce.” And it adds: “Companies that subsequently adhere to the agreement will have the same rights and obligations as the original signatories.”
Regarding procedure and control, the General Directorate of Customs The Customs Collection and Control Agency will be responsible for authorizing exports under the new regime. To do so, the requirements established by the Enforcement Authority must be met. In addition, the Undersecretariat of Agri-Food Markets and International Integration will keep a monthly record of the customs operations of the signatories, compiling detailed information on reference prices, type of operation, country of destination, port of departure, date of shipment and exported volumes. At the request of the U.S. Department of Commerce, this information may be submitted to contribute to the analysis of prices and ensure compliance with the agreement.
With this measure, whose start will be on February 7, 2025, one day after its publication in the Official Gazette, Argentina seeks to guarantee transparency in the marketing of lemon juice to the United States, comply with its international commitments and ensure fair competition conditions for the export sector.
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