The citrus market has responded well to the effects that frost and storms have had on Israeli production this season, thanks to ongoing communication between growers and suppliers.
Israeli citrus supply is running ahead of schedule and is expected to end three to four weeks earlier than usual, following a bout of sub-zero weather in January.
A second storm hit the country last week, but it is too early to tell how this will affect the crop.
Crop estimates initially predicted that overall volumes would fall by 10 per cent this year, but the sector has so far been unable to predict the effects of the production conditions.
Marius du Plessis, general manager of MTEX UK, told FPJ: “The growers and exporters have kept their customers well informed about the weather conditions and their effect on shipments. This shows the good relationship that Israeli suppliers have with the market.
“The frost was more severe in the north and south of the country, but the citrus plantations are mostly in coastal areas, so they were more protected,” he added.
But there will be fewer Shamouti oranges available in April and May, and grapefruit volumes could also be affected, du Plessis said.
He added that lemon supply had been “more or less wiped out”.
The strong shekel means that growers are getting a lower income per tonne, du Plessis told FPJ. “It will be a difficult year in spite of the higher prices and buoyant market,” he said.
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