Chile’s first 2016 shipment of navels to the U.S. departed from the port of San Antonio during Week 22, one week earlier than last year. A total of 7,960 boxes were shipped to the U.S. market. Ninety five percent of Week 22 navel exports were of the Fukumoto variety, with five percent Navel Late.
This is just the beginning of what the Chilean citrus industry expects to be a stellar season. Total global citrus exports from Chile (navels, easy peelers and lemons) rose by 30% in 2015, and volume is expected to climb another 10% in 2016. While the largest increase is expected for easy peelers, projected navel volumes are also slightly higher than 2016, 68,261 tons vs. 67,644 tons in 2015. The U.S. is Chile’s largest export market for navels, taking over 60% of global exports. This season, Chilean navels are demonstrating good color and excellent juice content, with sizing greater than last year.
The Chilean Citrus Committee oversees a program that establishes minimum maturity levels for navels destined to the U.S. market to ensure that they meet the market standards. Juan Enrique Ortuzar, chairman of the Chilean Citrus Committee, comments, “The U.S. market for all Chilean citrus commodities continues to expand year on year, and
we are fully committed to supporting the market, not just with high quality fruit, but with a growing investment in marketing.”
The Chilean Citrus Committee actively promotes navels, easy peelers and lemons throughout the season, with marketing programs for lemons during the summer months and campaigns for easy peelers and navels extending through October. A team of U.S.-based merchandisers work directly with importers, wholesalers and retailers on tailored marketing programs.
This year, the Committee will also be running online contests across the Fruits from Chile social media platforms, starting with a “When Chile Gives You Lemons, What Do You Make?” lemon contest the last week of June. States Karen Brux, Managing Director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, “We’re excited about the opportunities to further engage
with consumers via social media. Our social media platforms are less than a year old, but we implemented many successful promotions for Chilean fruit throughout the winter months, and are ready to extend that to citrus.”
Through Week 22, Chile’s total citrus exports weighed in at 25,906 tons (just over 1.6 million boxes), 80% of which were destined for the USA. Exports to the U.S. market through Week 22 included 121 tons of navels, 14,069 tons of clementines and 6,349 tons of lemons. The most dramatic volume increase thus far has been seen in lemons. Greater
volumes have been shipped earlier than last year, resulting in a 518% increase in YTD exports to the U.S.
Marketing programs for Chilean citrus are running now through October.
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