An early forecast has been released for Australia’s Riverina citrus crop, pegging the cost of November heatwaves at 15-20 per cent.
“We have completed the count survey, and will shortly undertake the size assessment. Riverina Citrus will release a final forecast in mid March,” said Frank Battistel, chairman of industry body Riverina Citrus.
“But we can release a preliminary estimate for the industry. We anticipate the Valencia and mid-season varieties will have a yield reduction of approximately 20 per cent and the Navel production will drop by about 15 per cent in 2010/11.”
“There has been some impact from the unusually hot November, but the crops are recovering strongly. The milder summer and secure water supplies in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area has boosted the size of the fruit compensating for the lower count.”
