Citrus trees have not been so thick on the ground in Israel since the 1930s, according to data released by the ministry of agriculture's extension service.
From the start of 2007 until November 2007, nearly 800,000 new citrus trees were planted on 1,250 hectares, mainly in the northern region of the country. Trade sources explain that the reasons for the increase are the opening of new markets in eastern Europe and the Far East, and the climatic disasters incurred by competing citrus growers in the Mediterranean Basin.
Israel now houses 20,000ha of citrus plantations, and the annual yield for 2007 is expected to reach 650,000 tonnes, of which 30 per cent is earmarked for export.
The majority of new plantings comprise red grapefruit and the new Or easy peeler.
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