New Zealand citrus growers are looking to make their fortune with new exports to the US market.

Now in the final stages of an application to the US Department of Agriculture, grower body New Zealand Citrus Growers Inc hopes to begin exporting in 18 months time following official approval.

The application has so far taken six years and the latest stage has seen New Zealand accept a list of export conditions that include regular orchard inspections for six different pests.

The body estimate the US market’s value will reach $10 million in five years, equalling the current total value of New Zealand Citrus exports.

The industry expects its success in the US to be aided by the fact they will be the only country offering navels at optimum maturity from September to November.

It also hopes to tap into the Asian-American market for Satsumas and mandarins.

Until now, New Zealand’s main citrus export markets have been Korea, which take the majority of its oranges, and Japan which receives around 90 per cent of its lemons and mandarins. In the season ending March 2005, the country shipped around 400 tonnes of oranges and a further 1000t each of lemons and mandarins.

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