The 2008/09 Chilean citrus season ended on a high note, with increases in exports across most categories, according to data published by SimFRUIT, the Chilean fresh fruit industry’s market intelligence system.
Up to week 42, clementine and mandarin shipments rose by 42 per cent to 33,187 tonnes, SimFRUIT said, of which the US (Chile’s traditional market) imported 27,518 tonnes – double the year-earlier figure.
Overall, the US accounted for 83 per cent of Chilean clementine and mandarin sendings last season on the back of low stocks and solid consumption in the country.
Europe (the second-largest market) received some 2,621 tonnes in 2008/09, worth just 7.9 per cent of exports and representing a 55 per cent decline in comparison to the previous season.
Canada, meanwhile, grew its imports by 12 per cent in volume terms, absorbing 6.4 per cent of the sendings.
Chile also exported 32,617 tonnes of lemons up to week 42 of 2008/09, down by 20 per cent on the previous season, according to SimFRUIT.
Despite the volume decline, the US and Asia maintained their positions as the leading export markets for Chilean lemons, receiving 51.8 per cent and 39.8 per cent of exports respectively.
Europe occupied third position, SimFRUIT said, with 5.8 per cent of sending – a rise of 41 per cent. The Middle East also absorbed 13,011 tonnes.
In the orange category, Chile exported 37,313 tonnes last season, which is more or less similar to the volume shipped in 2007/08.
However, the opening of the US market to Chilean navels generated an important redistribution of exports during 2008/09, according to SimFRUIT, as the US became the leading importer of the fruit for the first time, accounting for 54 per cent of the volume.
Europe was the second-largest receiver of Chilean oranges with 22 per cent of the sendings, followed by Asia, Canada with 12 per cent and 5.9 per cent respectively.
