South Africa will export some 112m cartons of citrus this season if all the fruit that is already packed is shipped to export markets.
The South African Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has revealed that growers have, so far, already packed 112.2m cartons, with record volumes having already been shipped.
The final forecast is some 8m cartons above the seasonal estimate first issued in April, while last year South Africa shipped 101.1m cartons of citrus.
According to the CGA, the Valencia export harvest has now risen above 50m cartons, compared with the 46m cartons originally predicted. Indeed, all categories of citrus have shown an increase on last season’s figures.
During this week’s international SHAFFE teleconference, South Africa informed other citrus producing countries that its 2013 crop would be 4 per cent higher year-on-year, with exports expected to rise to 1.6m tonnes, compared with last year’s 1.554m tonnes.
“The leading contributor to this increase was grapefruit with a massive 16 per cent increase in export volumes,' the CGA noted. 'Soft citrus (up 7 per cent) and lemons (up 6 per cent) also showed export volume growth. Oranges (both Valencia and navels) increased by only 1 per cent. Favourable growing conditions, a weakening currency and good market conditions contributed to this growth.'
The SHAFFE conference learned that the second-biggest Southern Hemisphere citrus exporter, Argentina, has this season battled with climatic difficulties (drought and frost), rising internal costs, an unfavourable exchange rate and difficult government policies, while Uruguay reported on a crop recovering from last year’s frosts, and pilot exports for the opening up of the US market in October 2013.
With the South Hemisphere season now drawing to a close, all eyes have turned to the Northern Hemisphere. Oranges out of the Mediterranean basin are expected to increase in production by 7 per cent – with Italy (up 18 per cent) and Morocco (up 26 per cent), leading the way. For both countries this is a recovery after a poor previous season. Italy reported a predominance of smaller sized fruit, while Spain reported on more early navels, with later varieties similar to the previous year.
The US forecast is expected to decrease by 3 per cent in terms of production, with smaller sizing reported.
Soft Citrus production shows a 10 per cent increase – again led by Italy (up 15 per cent) and Morocco (up 24 per cent); but with Turkey also showing a 21 per cent increase.
Spain reports smaller sizing on earlier varieties, and an earlier start to the season, while also expecting less late soft citrus hybrids. US production is set to increase by 6 per cent, led by increases out of California.
Mediterranean lemons are due to increase in volume produced by 3 per cent, with substantial increases predicted from Cyprus (38 per cent), Italy (20 per cent), Spain (11 per cent - increase in both Fino and Verna), Greece (10 per cent), Morocco (10 per cent) and Israel (10 per cent). These increases are offset by 17 per cent decline in Turkey.
Hail in June did affect some lemon growing areas in Spain. In Greece and Cyprus harvesting of lemons started a week earlier than 2012.
Grapefruit production will remain flat with increases in Cyprus and Greece offset by decreases in Spain and Turkey. As with lemons, grapefruit harvesting in Greece and Cyprus started a week early, and harvesting from Israel was also earlier. Most reported concerning declines in consumption and poor market returns – as a result, some orchards are being removed or replaced.
Recent storms in Italy could have an influence when the prediction is updated. Unfortunately there is no information from Egypt.
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