Citrus committee is ramping up efforts to open Chinese and Brazilian market
Chilean citrus exports are set to fall in 2014 due to the effects of last September’s freeze and a drought in the IV region, which has cut production across all main varieties.
Monserrat Valenzuela of the Chilean Citrus Committee told Fruitnet that the biggest drop is likely to be seen in clementines with shipments forecast to fall by 13% to 27,705 tonnes. Orange exports are expected to be down 9% at 64,130 tonnes, while mandarin shipments are set to rise by 5% to 33,233 tonnes.
Although lemon production is also down, the committee said exports would most likely remain similar to last season as companies seek to take advantage of undersupplied international markets.
The US is the main destination for Chilean citrus, absorbing almost 80% of total export volumes. Asia – principally Japan – accounts for another 10%, while a further 6% is sent to Europe. Valenzuela said one of the committee’s top priorities this season is to gain authorisation to ship to China and Brazil.