US navel orange imports have increased by 35 per cent up so far this year following the opening up of the market to Chilean fruit, according to a USDA report.
Total shipments of navels from Chile are expected to account for 25 per cent of orange imports to the US this year, while Australia, South Africa, Spain, Mexico and the Dominican Republic will supply the remaining volume.
“This surge in navel orange import volume during a down economy proved successful because of the enthusiastic promotional support of distributors and retailers in anticipation of the abundant supplies,” said Tom Tjerandsen, managing director North America of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, in a press release. “Retailers grasp the profit potential of year-round promotions for this once-seasonal category.”
Beyond navel oranges, CFFA claims Chile has helped to make year-round citrus category promotions feasible with its accompanying import volume growth of clementines, lemons, tangelos and tangerines.
Chile now accounts for two-thirds of imported clementines in the US and the category saw a 218 per cent increase in import volume over the previous year.
Tangelos have arrived from Chile for the first time in the past year and now account for 5 per cent of US tangelo imports. Chilean tangerine imports, meanwhile, were up 57 per cent during the same period and Chile also currently has a 45 per cent share of lemon imports to the US.
“Increased citrus volume, combined with promotable pricing, comes at a time when consumers are paying attention to diet and health claims,” explained Mr Tjerandsen.
“As the high fructose levels of some juices come under fire, nutrition experts increasingly give whole citrus the health halo. Navel oranges are the perfect choice for eating out of hand for instant energy.”
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