The data divulged at the Marrakech meeting shows that the global 2004/05 season was high-yielding, despite several natural disasters, such as severe frosts in Spain and Morocco and hurricanes in Florida adversely affecting total yields in these countries. Of the total Med Basin yield, 9.96mt were oranges, 5.09mt easy peelers, 2.52mt lemons, 470,000t was grapefruit, and other citrus types made up 0.11mt.
At the agm, CLAM accepted South Africa as an associate member of the organisation, and elected Octavio Ramon of Spain as its secretary for the forthcoming year, as well as approving its 2005 budget of €230,000.
Tal Amit, general manager of the citrus sector at the Plants Production and Marketing Board of Israel, who was elected this year as chairman of CLAM’s agro-technical committee, highlighted several significant developments related to the 2004/05 season:
• The continued growth in the cultivation and production of easy-peeler varieties. The export of easy-peeler varieties was 15 per cent higher than during the preceding season and reached more than 2mt, 38 per cent of the total export of the Mediterranean countries.
• The export of oranges was badly hit due to the frost in Spain and Morocco, causing a 10.5 per cent decline in exports compared with the 2003/04 season. This was despite the fact that a proportion of damaged fruit was marketed and a dramatic rise in the export of oranges from Egypt.
• Lemon exports remained unchanged, due to damages incurred to this sector in Spain.
• The global export of grapefruit declined due to the damage to Florida’s grapefruits crops, and in view of a lower than anticipated yield in Turkey.
The forecast for 05/06 is for similar production and export volumes attained in 04/05.
The overall export forecast presented by CLAM for the 2005/06 season, collating the data supplied by member countries, suggests a 9.4 per cent decline in the export of easy peelers; a 6.9 per cent rise in the export of oranges; a 12.4 per cent increase in the export of lemons; a 51.7 per cent climb for grapefruit exports; while other varieties will experience a fall of 7.9 per cent.
In total, CLAM foresees a 3.2 per cent rise in citrus exports by its members during the 05/06 season, a consequence of the following forecasts:
• easy peelers - 2.028mt (2.238mt in 04/05);
• oranges - 2.760mt (2,581mt in 04/05);
• lemons - 871,600t (774,400t);
• grapefruit - 361,200t (238,100t);
• others - 9,300t (10,100t)
The production forecast of CLAM member countries for 05/06, by variety, is:
• easy peelers - 4.436mt (5,093mt in 04/05);
• oranges - 9.380mt (9.957mt);
• lemons - 2.535mt (2.518mt);
• grapefruit - 592,500t (471,500t);
• others - 57,200t (110,300t).
Following is a report delivered in Morocco by each CLAM member country.
SPAIN
Total citrus yield in Spain in 2004/05 amounted to 6.18mt, a 36,000t decline on the 2003/04 season.
Total exports reached 3.12mt, a drop of 450,000t against the previous season. The main reason for this 12.5 per cent downturn was frost that affected citrus plantations at the end of January 2005. Regarding easy peelers, Spanish exports rose 100,000t, as lemons and especially oranges took the brunt of the weather damage.
The forecast for citrus yield in Spain for the 05/06 season is a further decline, of 1mt, to a total of 5.1mt. The major fall relates to oranges, volumes of which are expected to weigh in 650,000t lower at 2.2mt).
In addition, and perhaps more damaging to long-term growth prospects, Spanish growers foresee a drop in yields of easy peelers to the tune of 500,000t. The estimate for lemons notes a rise in yields of about 100,000t. Despite the 17.5 per cent overall plummet in total yield, Spanish growers do not forecast a fall in export volume, which it is predicted will amount in 05/06 to 3.14mt.
MOROCCO
Total citrus yield in Morocco in 2004/05 reached 1.32mt, against the pre-season forecast of 1.6mt. The frost is again the major factor in the decreased volume, having particularly affected later ripening varieties. Exports from Morocco, however, increased to 490,000t, compared with 430,000t in 03/04. Clementines, at the beginning and in mid-season, were largely responsible.
Moroccan growers forecast a sharp fall in citrus yields in 05/06, to the tune of 983,000t, a 25 per cent decline. But their forecast for export is more optimistic, showing a modest 30,000t rise, notably in oranges, compared with 04/05.
ALGERIA
Algeria, which also did not show at the CLAM meeting, reported an overall citrus yield of 251,000t, all for local consumption.
There were no details made available regarding the forecast for 05/06.
TURKEY
The total citrus yield in Turkey in 2004/05 amounted to 2.32mt, an 11.2 per cent rise compared with 03/04.
Additionally, exports reached an all-time record of 877,000t, mainly due to a more than 100 per cent increase in lemon exports, from 160,000t to 340,000t. The export of 282,000t of easy peeler varieties (200,000t the year before), and a 30,000t rise in the export of oranges, compensated for a 50,000t drop in grapefruit exports.
Turkey’s citrus output is expected to rise by another six per cent in 05/06, to 2.45mt. The dramatic rise of 149 per cent in Turkey’s yield of red grapefruit is one factor. The export of citrus from Turkey is set to rise in 05/06 by five per cent to 919,000t, mainly in oranges and grapefruit, whereas the export of easy peelers and lemons could fall.
ISRAEL
Israel reported a good citrus season, across its basket of varieties. Total volume produced amounted to 645,000t and exports were up for a third year in a row, reaching 178,000t in 04/05.
Growers reported high sales returns, especially for red grapefruit, and high prices being paid for citrus by processing plants.
Some 69 per cent of exports went to western Europe, of which 24.5 per cent was exported to the UK.
The forecast for 05/06 is a 3.7 per cent decline in the total yield, to 620,000t, and a moderate export downturn of 1.7 per cent to 175,000t.
GREECE
Greece did not participate this year at the CLAM agm. The country is still affected by the damage incurred a year and a half ago to its plantations by severe frost. Data supplied by Greece shows a total yield of 861,000t, of which 90 per cent was oranges, while export continues to fall, to 235,000t, the lowest export volume since 1989/90.
The more positive forecast for 05/06 is a 25 per cent rise in yields to 1.08mt and a 44 per cent rise in export to 339,000t.
TUNISIA
Tunisia, which did not participate in the Marrakech CLAM meeting, reported a total citrus yield of 243,000t, mostly oranges. Exports from the north African country totaled 19,000t, comprising oranges of the Maltese variety.
The forecast for 05/06 is a 17 per cent rise in yields to 284,000t and 22,200t is slated for export.
ITALY
Italy’s citrus yield was stable at 3.35mt. The fruit was mostly used for local fresh consumption and for industrial processing. Italy exported just 158,000t of citrus, mainly oranges.
The Italian report did not go into great detail and the forecast for 05/06 is for a similar performance to 04/05.
CYPRUS
Cyprus’ total citrus yield amounted to 179,000t, remaining similar to registered yields during the last three years noting, however, a slight rise in the production and export of easy peelers. Exports from Cyprus reached 102,000t.
The forecast for 05/06 is 10,000t short in production and 5,000t lower for export, compared with the 04/05 season.
EGYPT
Egypt was not represented at the agm, but the data supplied related a significant rise in the country’s export of oranges. During the last five years, Egypt has tripled its export volume of oranges and emerged as an important supplier to the European market, both west and east.
Total production in 2004/05 amounted to 2.7mt, of which 605,000t were exported. Of the total export, 575,000t were oranges.
In 04/05, 295,000t were shipped to Mediterranean countries, 115,000t to western Europe, and 148,000t to eastern European countries.
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