Argentina has overcome a significant hurdle in its bid to export citrus to Japan following successful cold treatment tests for mandarins and oranges, according to the Obispo Colombres Agro-industrial Experimental Station (EEAOC).

The treatment methods, developed by EEAOC in 2003, were approved as satisfactory by Japanese government inspector Dr. Toshiyuki Dohino who conducted an audit from Jul. 13-23.

The tests included cold treatment at 2.1ºC (35.78ºF) for 21 days with oranges and 23 days with mandarins, eliminating possible infestations of the pest Ceratitis capitatas, which is not present in Japan.

The tests were also shown to eliminate the 12,000 Mediterranean fruit fly larvae that were inoculated with each fruit sample.

The EEAOC claimed the National Agriculture and Food Health Service (SENASA) would soon provide the results from the analysis to its counterparts in Japan, with an analytical and collaborative process to be used for an official phytosanitary proposal, which would be put to the public for comment if successful.

In a release, the EEAOC said previous work done with Argentine grapefruit, lemons and Valencia oranges was a precedent for the recent tests.

The latest tests are valid for Clementine, Murcott, Ellendale and Nova Tangelo mandarins, as well as Navel and Salustian oranges.

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