A Uruguayan politician expects the country's citrus fruits could be able to enter the U.S. market in mid-2012, website Elobservador.com.uy reported.

Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries (MGAP) Minister Tabaré Aguerre, told the website the U.S. would likely publish a public consultation notice by the end of 2011, with shipments expected to follow if final approval is given.

After returning from the U.S. with a delegation of citrus farmers, Aguerre said the prospects were positive.

"The potential of the citrus industry is very good, bearing in mind that this sector exports 50% of its production, with a foreign exchange of US$100 million," he was quoted as saying.

"It is a sector that has had market problems and hasn't had the appraisal that other productive sectors have achieved."

Related story: Uruguay takes steps towards prodigal U.S. citrus exports

Photo: El Observador

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