oranges

Exports of Chilean oranges rose by 12.3 per cent in 2010/11 to 53,517 tonnes, compared with 47,640 tonnes in 2009/10, according to figures from the Chilean Fresh Fruit Exporters Association (Asoex).

The US represented the largest market, absorbing 34.9 per cent of the sendings (or 38,059 tonnes). Oranges accounted for 4 per cent of total Chilean fresh fruit exports to the market.

Canada, meanwhile, saw a contraction in its arrivals, with volume down by 8.1 per cent to 2,641 tonnes, Asoex said.

The European market also saw negative results, with sendings to the region decreasing 60 per cent in comparison to last season, to just 3,907 tonnes.

The Netherlands remained the largest market in Europe, accounting for 1,893 tonnes, followed by Spain (with 1,376 tonnes), Italy (175 tonnes) and the UK (153 tonnes), among others (310 tonnes).

Conversely, Asia recorded an 18.6 per cent increase in arrivals of Chilean oranges, reaching some 4,763 tonnes, according to the report.

The Middle East region also saw its volume rise significantly by 64.4 per cent to 2,847 tonnes.

Asoex said that Chilean orange sendings to Latin America also increased by 36.4 per cent to 1,299 tonnes in 2010/11.