The Israeli citrus season 2005-06 has just closed with the sector enjoying its third consecutive year of recovery following severe crisis four years ago.
According to Tal Amit, manager of the Citrus Sector at the Plants Production and Marketing Board, “There is a surge in the planting of new orchards, especially in the northern and central parts of the country,” said Tal Amit, manager of the citrus sector at the Plants Production & Marketing Board. “Within a year, the total planted area of citrus orchards will amount to 20,000 hectares, compared with 17,000ha today.”
Total yield of citrus in 2005-06 amounted to 575,000 tonnes, compared with 640,000t in 2004-05. The main reduction in yields pertain to Shamouti and several easy-peeler varieties, due to alternate yields which are characteristic to these varieties. Amit said that of the total yield, 170,000t were routed to the local market; 140,000t were exported, compared to 178,000t a year agor; and 265,000t of citrus were sent for processing, compared with 290,000t in 2004-05.
Financial returns to growers totaled $150 million, similar to last year’s value despite the smaller yield this year. Amit explained that this is due to good prices growers received from sales on the local market and from sales to processing plants. Sales on the local market amounted to $60m; sales to processing plants $40m, and growers for export markets registered $50m in returns.
Israeli citrus exports in 2005-06 experienced tough competition with citrus from Spain, Morocco, Turkey and Egypt. However, Israeli exporters strengthened their position on the Russian market some 25 per cent of all sendings were to Russia, making it now the second largest market after the UK for Israeli citrus.
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