"Green gold": Over 600,000 kilos of a highly sought-after product already exported

Mendoza, Argentina, long known as the land of sun and wine, is cultivating a new "green gold" with its booming oregano production. The San Carlos region in the Uco Valley is at the forefront, boasting the world's only oregano with a Geographical Indication (IG). This designation highlights the product's purity and intense aroma, distinguishing it from any other oregano globally. Mendoza's oregano dominates the national market, supplying over 80% of the country's consumption, and is now making significant strides internationally.

Exports of Mendoza's oregano have seen remarkable growth. In the past year, shipments more than doubled, reaching over $1.4 million in 2025, up from $600,000 in 2024. The volume exported also surged, from 250,000 kilograms to over 600,000 kilograms. Furthermore, the value of exported oregano has climbed by more than 40%, increasing from $1.70 to $2.40 per kilogram. This rise in value provides producers with a healthy profit margin.

Rodolfo Vargas Arizu, the provincial Minister of Production, attributed the sector's success to several factors, including the enhanced visibility provided by the IG. Producers are enthusiastic about the future, especially for the domestic market, where consumers increasingly value and pay for higher quality products. Five companies with eight distinct presentations have secured certification for their oregano, cultivated by over 140 local producers across approximately 1,200 hectares in San Carlos. The provincial government has supported this growth through financing projects for certification and promotion.

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The producers are having a good margin for their oregano. Several factors contribute to this, but undoubtedly the IG has made them more visible, and they are very enthusiastic about the sector's future projection, especially for the domestic market which follows the upward trend in prices; better quality product is valued and paid for.