The South African citrus industry is reportedly anticipating a 4 per cent increase in exports during the 2011 season, which begins in April and continues until September.
According to a new USDA report, the expected growth is due largely to higher demand for oranges in the Middle East – a fast-growth market for South African citrus – and greater access to the US grapefruit and orange market.
South Africa shipped approximately 1.5m tonnes of citrus to the Middle East and Asia in 2010 on the back of rising consumer demand, largely for oranges, the USDA said.
As a result, in 2011 the association expects South African orange exports to reach 1.15m tonnes in 2011, up 5 per cent increase on 2010.
The country’s grapefruit exports are also forecast to increase by nearly 6 per cent to 200,000 tonnes in 2011, according to the USDA, thanks to increased production and greater export-quality supplies.
Last year South African suppliers marketed in the US a larger volume of Star Ruby grapefruit, clementines and Navel oranges from additional growing areas after the USDA recognised several more production zones as free of citrus black spot disease.
With increased access to the US, planted area with grapefruit in South Africa this year is estimated to grow by 1 per cent to 9,200ha, according to the USDA.
In 2010, the USDA estimates that South African grapefruit exports fell by 189,100 tonnes, down from 210,186 tonnes in 2009, as a result of a lower production base and lower exportable supplies.
Although the European Union (EU) has long been South Africa’s traditional citrus market, the USDA claims industry reports show that shipments are shifting into new markets like the Middle East and Russia.
According to industry officials, these markets have recovered from the global recession, while sluggish demand persists in Europe, the UK, and Japan.
