According to projections released by the Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, the current orange, lime, tangerine, and grapefruit harvest in Uruguay indicates that the overall citrus production this year, where the growth of the orange and lime production stands out, will be around 263,000 tons, i.e. 4.3% more than in the previous harvest. The total export volume stands at some 100,000 tons.
According to the Ministry, the forecast was conducted in July and August and its main objective was to obtain production estimates of the four main species of citrus produced in Uruguay - oranges, tangerine, lime, and grapefruit.
The report states that the harvest will yield approximately 263,000 tons, a significant increase over the 252,037 tons collected last year. According to the report, there will be 135,000 tons of oranges, 88,000 tons of tangerines, 39,000 of limes, and more than 1,000 tons of grapefruits.
According to information from government sources, the data was gathered directly from a representative sample of producers via a specially designed e-mail form.
Producer expectations regarding the 2016 harvest indicates that there has been an increase in the production of oranges and limes, and a decrease in tangerine and grapefruit production.
The survey indicated that the lime, tangerine, and Navel orange harvest was very advanced and the Valencia oranges harvest was still in its early stages.
Preliminary estimates indicate that the country's exportable volume this year will amount to 100,000 tons of citrus, i.e. roughly 38% of the total citrus production.
This preliminary estimate may vary as it depends on the fruits quality characteristics and business opportunities that materialize, stated the report.
Source: radiomontecarlo.com.uy