AU: Navel volumes up 12%, Valencias down
Navel volumes are expected to be up 12% from 2012, although down almost 20% on the record year of 2009. Climatic conditions have been mild and overall quality is expected to be good.
Fruit size will return to average and a large volume of fruit will be in the preferred size range of 72-88 counts. An increase in volume of late season navels in South Australia is attributed to large plantings in the mid to late 2000s having now reached full production. In contrast, late navel plantings in other regions were harvested very late in the 2012 season which reduced flowering and subsequently yields in 2013 will be lighter.
Valencia
Heavy hedging and late hanging of crops have reduced flowering, which is expected to have a downward impact on Valencia volumes, particularly in the Riverina region. Most regions predict that the 2012/13 Valencia crop will be completely harvested before the common orange and 2013/14 Valencia harvest commences.
Common oranges
The increase in volume of common oranges for juice processing as recent plantings reach full production further explains the reduced intake of Washington navel off-run in the mid-season. These varieties are preferred by processors for their juice content and processing attributes.
Mandarins
A slight increase in the national forecast for mandarins is predicted despite the impact of the Australia Day weekend floods through Queensland. Minor skin blemishes are expected to increase the percentage of second grade fruit from Queensland as growers continue to feel the impact of the floods.
The 2013 season is predicted to be the first in which a greater volume of mandarins will come from the southern regions of Australia than Queensland, as recently planted hectares of Afourer approach full production. Combined production from the Sunraysia and Riverland regions is predicted to reach 53,000 tonnes, compared to 46,000 tonnes from Queensland.
The increased mandarin volume in 2013 follows the trend of rising consumption of easy peeler citrus on the domestic market and in other markets across the world.
Source: Citrus Australia