San Miguel Strengthens Its Commitment to Uruguay with a $32 Million Investment and Expansion of Its Paysandú Plant
By Mathías Buela, InfoNegocios
February 21, 2025
The Argentine company, a global leader in lemon processing, is reinforcing its presence in Uruguay with an industry-focused strategy and a $32 million investment. The goal is to reach an annual production of 100,000 tons by 2027.
With 70 years of history, the Argentine-born company San Miguel has been the world's leading processor of industrial lemons for over 20 years. Founded in Tucumán, it has expanded globally with operations in Argentina, South Africa, and Uruguay. In Uruguay, the company is executing an ambitious growth plan, including multi-million-dollar investments and the modernization of its Paysandú plant.
San Miguel entered Uruguay in 2000, initially focusing on the production and export of fresh fruit. However, in 2022, the company redefined its global strategy to focus exclusively on the industrial lemon business, moving away from fresh fruit commercialization. As part of this transition, it operates in Uruguay under the Samifruit brand, which is directly linked to the San Miguel holding.
The company owns farmland in Uruguay, with a balanced distribution between the north (Bella Unión) and the south (Montevideo and its surrounding areas). The Paysandú industrial plant is the center of its operations, where lemons are processed into three key products: lemon essential oil, concentrated juice, and dehydrated peel for pectin production. 100% of these products are exported, primarily to high-income markets like the United States and Europe.
According to Manuel Suárez Altuna, CEO of San Miguel, the company’s Uruguay expansion plan began in 2015with the planting of 1,700 hectares of lemon trees and the objective of processing 100,000 tons of fruit annually. To achieve this, in 2023, San Miguel acquired the Paysandú industrial plant, which was previously operated in partnership with Azucitrus, and invested an initial $22 million. This capital was used for modernizing equipment, expanding production capacity, and implementing new technologies.
In 2025, San Miguel continues enhancing its infrastructure, increasing grinding capacity and incorporating state-of-the-art technology to optimize efficiency and reduce environmental impact. One of the most significant projects is the installation of a third stage in its effluent treatment plant, a $5 million investment ensuring compliance with strict environmental regulations.
While the Paysandú plant processed 60,000 tons of lemons in 2024 and expects to reach 65,000 tons in 2025, the ultimate goal is to achieve 100,000 tons per year by 2027. To reach this target, San Miguel estimates a total investment of approximately $32 million, implemented in different phases.
San Miguel considers Uruguay a stable and predictable country for business. According to Suárez Altuna, government policies have generally favored sector development, although the appreciation of the Uruguayan peso against the dollar has affected competitiveness in recent years. Despite these challenges, the company remains committed to its long-term vision for Uruguay, strengthening its production and export capabilities in the region.
