The Citrus Committee of Chile-ASOEX, stated that they expected a 17% increase in citrus exports for the 2017-2018 season. According to the Committee's forecasts the increase would be led by mandarins, which are expected to increase by 32% over the previous season, followed by oranges, and clementines.
Mandarin exports are expected to reach 100,819 tons, i.e. 32% more than the 76,373 tons exported in the previous season. The country is expected to export 84,449 tons of oranges this season, i.e. 12% more than the 75,478 tons it exported in the previous season. Meanwhile, clementine exports are expected to reach 51,924 tons, i.e. 27% more than the 41,000 tons achieved last season. Finally, lemon exports are expected to amount to 78,104 tons, 1% more than the 75,478 tons sent during the last campaign.
The manager of the Citrus Committee, Monserrat Valenzuela, said that the increase in the export volume of mandarins was due to the entry into production of new orchards, and a greater availability of water, as a result of the rains of last winter. "This fruit has a great demand because of its size, it is easy to peel, has no seeds, and has numerous nutritional properties," Valenzuela stated.
Source: SimFRUIT according to information from the Citrus Committee of Chile-ASOEX