Citrus exports from the southern hemisphere are expected to increase by ore than nine per cent on the long term average this season as producer countries recover from frosts and hail that set them back in 2011.
Sendings of all easy-peelers, lemons, oranges and grapefruit from Argentina, Australia, Chile, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay are forecast by the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (SHAFFE) to rise by 1.67 per cent on 2011. Grapefruit is the only crop forecast to show a decline in exports of some 9 per cent year on year compared to rises in sendings of oranges and lemons of two per cent each and a six per cent increase in exports of easy-peelers.
Argentina’s lemons producers have not yet made an official forecast but shippers estimate that volumes for exports will be similar to last year’s levels as they seek to diversify their markets away from the EU and send more fruit to Russia, Canada and the Middle East.
Uruguay is targeting the UK with its fruit and has already begun its soft citrus season with Satsuma picking starting in March and is anticipating good demand for its medium-sized Navel oranges. Exports of oranges are forecast to rise by 11 per cent year on year.
South African output is forecast to recover from hail damage in 2011. The Navel crop is similar to that of 2010 showing a recovery on last season and sizes are smaller and quality improved. Satsuma output is also expected to packout similar to 2010’s volumes, up 14 per cent on last season. The grapefruit crop harvest has begun in line with usual start dates and 25 per cent is forecast to be of smaller sizes and 32 per cent of larger sizes. Lemon output is some three per cent up on last season and some 23 per cent above the long-term average.
In Chile new orchards are coming into bearing, especially of Navels and late easy-peelers. Forecast total exports reflect this with volumes expected to show six per cent growth on last year and almost 80 per cent growth on the long-term average.
