Asoex's Citrus Committee reported that Chile made its first shipments of clementines in week 15 and that the country had shipped 573 tons by week 17. By the same week of the previous season, they had shipped 1,503 tons.
According to estimates, Chile will export 55,000 tons of clementines this season, i.e. 7% more than in the previous season.
The varieties shipped in the first shipment were the Clemenules, Orogrande, and Oronules clementines.
"The season has started. The clementines and lemons have already left and the oranges will soon follow. The climate is dry, there have been no significant rains, so the crops have developed without any setback. The first shipments of clementines to date are lower than last season, but it is too early to establish any change in the estimates for the period,” stated Juan Enrique Ortuzar, president of the Citrus Committee.
The United States is the main destination market for Chilean citrus, accounting for nearly 85% of total shipments. It is followed by the Far East and Europe, which account for nearly 9% and 3% of shipments, respectively. Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East receive lower volumes.
For more information:
Comité de Cítricos Asoex 
Cruz del Sur N.º 133, Of. 703, Las Condes, Santiago (Chile)
Tel.: +56 2 - 2 472 4773