The Australian orange season has been solid, according to reports, and in particular Navels from the Murray Valley area have been of ‘exceptional quality’ according to grower Vince DeMaria with a high percentage of Class 1 fruit coming out of the region. “The fruit has had a combination of perfect eating quality and clean blemish free rind, due to favourable growing conditions and continual improvement as growers implement best practice” says Mr DeMaria.
Nationally volumes have been strong enough to support exports to the US, and overall Mr DeMaria says navel exports have increased to multiple markets, including China and Japan. “The falling Australian dollar has reinvigorated the important US export market. The large volumes of export have also taken pressure off the limited domestic trade,” he adds.
Other key varieties for oranges this season are the Washington, Cara Cara and Late Lane, with harvest progressing smoothly, and most growers focusing on late production navel oranges and Valencia varieties as the winter comes to an end.
Prices for Valencia oranges have fluctuated, Mr DeMaria says, as there is not such a high demand for orange juice in Australia. “Energy drinks and flavoured water, plus the success of the anti-sugar lobby has taken the market share.”
The biggest challenge for industry, besides anti-sugar lobby efforts to reduce orange juice consumption, is water prices, according to Mr DeMaria. “The cost of Water to citrus growers will become an issue for many growers over the next 12 months given the sustained dry spell that is being experienced across our growing region,” he says. “Temporary water prices are at a five-year high.”
Aside from the main orange varieties, citrus growers in general have been focused on harvesting Afourer mandarins, as they are mostly seedless and have seen increased demand from overseas as well as domestic markets, according to Mr DeMaria.