South Africa’s citrus sector has recorded a fall in early lemon shipments but a rise in satsuma exports so far this season and industry sources say that these trends may manifest themselves for the entire early season.
So far this season, only 800 tonnes of lemons have been exported compared to 1600 tonnes last year at the same time. In total, the lemon forecast for South Africa is 9.3m cartons, which will be 2 per cent down on last season
The South African Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) says reports out of Spain have indicated a difficult northern hemisphere lemon season, particularly in the European market.
Only 40 per cent of the total Spanish lemon crop, which was originally forecasted at 1m tonnes, was harvested by end February and there are reports that 200,000 tonnes could be left on the trees.
“Fino lemons will be in the market until mid April, and Spanish Verna’s will still be in the market until July,” said CGA chief executive Justin Chadwick.
“So the lemon market in Europe is going to be challenging. Prices are very low at present at €0.4 to €0.5 per kg. It is time to build on the relationships in other markets, and to be careful in Europe.”
The South African satsuma crop is making somewhat of a comeback this year, with big crops in the Patensie area of the eastern Cape and in the Nelspruit region of Mpumalanga.
So far, 100,000 tonnes has been shipped from the country, which is double the amount that was exported at the same time last year.
“The situation for satsumas looks a lot brighter,” said Mr Chadwick. “South American countries report a drought affected decline of 20 to 30 per cent of their satsuma crops, which should mean that our 12 per cent increase in volumes will sell well.”
However, Mr Chadwick admitted that South Africa is likely to experience tougher competition from Spain, Morocco and Turkey, where volumes from January are reportedly 45 per cent higher than at the same time last year.
