The South African Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA) has released its forecast for the various citrus categories, indicating a rise in lemons and soft citrus exports. The export volumes for Valencia types, Navels and grapefruit, meanwhile, will be either the same or down on last year’s
volumes.
The UK trade will note that late mandarins are set for substantial growth, by 22 per cent to 8.5 million cartons out of a total soft citrus crop of 18m cartons. Sources say South African ClemenGold and Tango varieties, along with better clementine varieties, remain the future as they lead the charge to deliver on taste expectations among increasingly taste-orientated UK consumers.
There is a drop in the season-opening satsumas – down two per cent – while there is a significant increase of nine per cent in clementines and a modest increase in Novas. Over time it is expected that better clementine types will increasingly dominate the early season.
The lemon crop will be 11 per cent higher than last year, signalling continued growth in the category. Lemon exports are expected to grow by two million cartons, approaching the 22m carton mark as new orchards come into production.
The CGA says it estimates the value of the total crop of 137m cartons at R19 billion (£995.6m).
The CGA says a good grapefruit crop is still anticipated despite a decline of nine per cent compared with last year. Pigmented varieties account for the bulk of exports, with an expected 13.9m carton crop, which is 10 per cent down on last year. White grapefruit volumes are expected to be up six per cent to 1.2m cartons.
Last year’s grapefruit crop was hailed as one of the biggest in history and from an income point of view did not turn out that well for growers back on the farm. Observers say this year’s forecast represents a more realistic view among producers about what they can market profitably.
