A sharp increase in production of late season mandarins and lemons helped Chilean citrus exports set a new record in 2015. Total shipments reached 204,000 tonnes, a 30 per cent rise on the previous season.
Figures from the Chilean Citrus Committee showed that easy peelers were the leading item, making up 37 per cent of the total export volume. Oranges and lemons accounted for 33 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.
The biggest rise in exports came in late mandarin varieties (+57 per cent) and lemons (+43 per cent). Orange and clementine shipments also increased by 18 per cent and 11 per cent respectively.
“We’ve had an incredible season in North America,” said committee president Juan Enrique Ortúzar, “In spite of strong competition from citrus from South Africa, Australia, Uruguay and Peru, volumes registered double-digit growth and good market conditions for all varieties.”
Ortúzar noted that the industry is currently trialling a number of new mandarin varieties developed in the US, Spain, Australia and South Africa with a view to boosting its export portfolio in the coming years. Mandarins and clementines are expected to lead Chile’s export charge as they are undergoing the biggest expansion in planted area.
“This part of our overall effort to adapt and improve our offer, which will bring about significant changes in the next three to four years,” Ortúzar said.
The US is the leading market for Chilean citrus, absorbing virtually all of its clementine and mandarin output as well as well as 89 per cent of Navels and 55 per cent of lemons. However, the past season has seen a rise in shipments to Europe, particularly in lemons as shippers have sought to capitalise in the fall in Argentine production.
