Israeli citrus growers are forecasting a record crop and an earlier start to the season this year.
Volumes available for export are reported as being around 20 per cent higher than last season, with supplies expected to start around one to two weeks earlier than normal, according to the country’s Plant Board.
Marketeers estimate total citrus volume to hit 600,000 tonnes, up from 500,000t last year. Within that, orange volumes should be up, to around 163,000t, easy peelers up to 140,000t and pomelo to 16,000t.
White grapefruit volumes are expected to reach 235,000t, red grapefruit 100,000t and Sweetie production will hit the 45,000t mark. Meanwhile the lemon crop is anticipated to be similar to last year at around 45,000t. Quality overall is reported to be excellent.
The first Satsuma and pomelo shipments are due to begin arriving in Europe by next week.
Grapefruit and Sweetie producers that begin harvesting in the next two weeks also stand to benefit in the short-term from hurricane damage in Florida, although details on the extent of the situation are still unclear.
Tal Amit, general manager of the Plant Board’s citrus section, said the industry was doing well: “The Israeli citrus sector is getting back on track. It may not get back to the size it was 10 to 15 years ago, but at least its recovering from the recent bad years,” he added.
Amit said Israel is keen to increase its share in the Russian market this year, and outlined plans to launch a promotional campaign for the Jaffa brand.
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