Uruguayan citrus production is forecast to fall by 18 per cent in 2008 to 283,700 tonnes, following the South American country’s coldest winter period in 50 years, the Argentinean citrus federation Federcitrus has reported.
Despite the projected crop shortfall, Uruguay’s export volumes are expected to remain stable in comparison to last year at around 143,000 tonnes.
The orange harvest will register the largest decrease in comparison to 2007, Federcitrus said, falling by 21 per cent to 147,700 tonnes, while mandarins will drop by 19 per cent to 95,000 tonnes.
The grapefruit crop is expected to reduce by 14 per cent to around 4,000 tonnes, with lemon volumes set to register the smallest dip of 1 per cent to 37,200 tonnes.
So far, Uruguay has harvested 42 per cent of its 2008 mandarin crop, as well as 8 per cent of oranges, 9 per cent of grapefruit and 7 per cent of lemons.
Uruguay exports a range of fresh citrus varieties to markets in Europe, Asia, North and South America.
