According to the Citrus Committee of Chile ASOEX, the country exported a total of 368,000 tons of citrus fruits during the 2020 season, i.e. 10% more than in the previous season.
The United States received 85% of total shipments, while the Far East and Europe received 9% and 3%, respectively. Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East received lower volumes.
Orange exports account for 24% of all citrus exports; lemon export for 25%; mandarins 36%; clementines 14%, and grapefruits 1%.
Juan Enrique Ortuzar, the president of the Citrus Committee, said that the 2020 season had been very satisfactory. "We have met and exceeded most of our initial estimates, which is very remarkable in the context of the pandemic and all the associated operational difficulties it entails."
The outlook for the 2020 season is favorable, he added. "We can face this new season with less uncertainty and have more optimistic projections thanks to the increase in rains there was this year in the Central Zone and the increase in water in the reservoirs of the Norte Chico."
Exports by species
Chile exported 133,245 tons of mandarins, i.e. 43% more than in the 2019 season. 94% of them were sent to the US market.
The country exported 88,319 tons of oranges, i.e. 7% less than in the previous season. The US was the main destination market with 92% of shipments.
Lemon exports increased by 2% and totaled 92,220 tons. 58% of the lemons were exported to the US, 32% went to the Far East, 10% to Europe, and the remaining to Latin America and Canada.
Clementine exports increased by 3%, reaching almost 52,000 tons. Their main destination market was the US.
Chinese market
One of the great milestones that the sector achieved this year was the opening of the Chinese market. According to Ortuzar, even though the volume shipped to this market accounts for less than 5% of total shipments, this season marked the beginning of a learning process in that market and a business relationship that will mature and thrive for years to come.
Chile exported a total of 1,031 tons of mandarins, 404 tons of oranges, 26 tons of clementines, and 5,650 tons of lemons to China.
For more information:
Comité de Cítricos de Chile
www.comitedecitricos.cl