The last vessel carrying South African summer citrus to the US during the 2010 season has discharged its cargo, with fruit expected to be available in stores through early- to mid-November.
According to a press release from the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum (WCCPF), a total of 41,528 tonnes of citrus – including clementines, navel oranges, Midknight oranges and grapefruit – was shipped to the US from May through October, representing an almost 24 per cent increase over 2009.
Of that total, clementines accounted for 8,935 tonnes (up 29.3 per cent on 2009); navel oranges represented 24,629 tonnes and Midknight oranges contributed 7,721 tonnes, which combined marks a 21.90 per cent growth in comparison to 2009.
Some 232 tonnes of grapefruit were also exported during the first year of South African grapefruit shipments to the US.
“Consumer demand for South African Summer Citrus continues to grow,” explained Gerrit van der Merwe, chairman of WCCPF.
“Year over year, we ship more to the US and consumers here have made it clear that they like South African citrus in the summer. When it is available to them in the supermarkets, they will buy it.”
WCCPF made some adjustments to its supply strategy in 2010 when smaller reefer vessels were contracted to carry the fruit to the US for the first time, bringing fruit to the market every 10 days compared with previous seasons when larger ships arrived every two weeks.
“Both importers and retailers have found this more regular arrival of fruit beneficial to their category management,” noted Mr van der Merwe. “The schedule provides a continuous and reliable supply so importers and retailers know what citrus will be available to them for sale.”
WCCPF moved less fruit than expected to the West Coast during 2010.
“Un-characteristically, the California citrus season lasted much later than usual. As a result, the west coast marketplace was able to carry California fruit far into the summer,” said Mr van der Merwe. “Our plan is to move more fruit to the west in 2011.”
South Africa is the second-largest exporter of citrus in the world and produces 60 per cent of all citrus grown in the Southern Hemisphere.
Exports to the US began in 1999, with fruit sourced mainly from the region near Citrusdal and Clanwilliam (about two hours north-west of Cape Town), the Northern Cape near Kimberly and the north-west along the Orange River, near Upington.
