Citrus growers in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas are aiming to ship 20,000 metric tons (MT) of lemons to North America this year, website Gaceta.mx reported.

Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Food (SAGARPA) Tamaulipas delegate Roberto Salinas Salinas, told the website 2,000MT had been shipped in the season to date.

The harvest cycle has just finished with growers and exporters making plans for their shipments.

"It is estimated that sales of 20,000MT of lemons will leave growers with profits of more than US$100 million, which would improve their economy because last year they suffered losses from the effects of drought," he was quoted as saying.

He said the harvests recently sold came from the municipalities of Güémez, Padilla, Hidalgo and Victoria.

He added test shipments of agricultural products such as tomatoes had been sent countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, as well as honey to Japan, to help boost Tamaulipas' agricultural trade.

"But we are also looking for new markets for products such as onions, aloe, cattle, tequila and mezcal, among others."

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