Despite a delayed start to Uruguay’s 2023 citrus season, they are seeing good early demand from their two leading markets in the U.S. and Europe. “This year we are having good demand of oranges from USA and Europe and also the market for easy peelers seem to be stable in terms of prices,” says Monica Coito, from Uruguay’s Naranjales Guarino’s international sales department.
She says despite the delayed start due to the long term drought in Uruguay, the quality of their citrus is fine. “The harvest is quite delayed, basically due to the lack of low temperatures during the nights. Coloration of the different varieties was not good enough so in all the case we had to wait until later in order not to apply the degreening process. In terms of volumes we expect to have similar amounts compared to last year.”
Their main market for mandarins is the U.S. Their main market for oranges and lemons is Europe. The group exports about 400 containers of citrus per season. Last year’s Uruguayan lemons exports was 13,600 tons, this year around 8,000 tons is estimated. Last year’s orange exports was 21,000 with this year’s estimation at 23,000 tons. The mandarins exports was 38,000 tons last year, this year around 32,000 tons is estimated by Upefruy, Uruguay’s fresh produce industry association.
“For the start of the season until now we have already harvested Satsuma, Clementines and Clemenvilla mandarins and now we are starting the harvest of Tangelo Orlando. Last week we started with W.Murcott and Tangos. Talking about Oranges, we are harvesting Navels and Navelinas and last week we started with Salustianas,” says Coito.
They have noted the early finish by Spain, which left an empty market as well as the challenges South Africa faces with the more stringent protocols in Europe. Coito says they are also happy to have lower shipping rates this season after a few years of extremely high rates.
“These circumstances help us in order to arrive in the market with a more competitive product, but I think the most important issue is the level of maritime freight costs, which are much more reasonable than in the last two years. Anyway, considering our product is so necessary for the family consumption all over the world, we think we still have to press hard trying to reduce production costs. In order to produce citrus according to the high sanitary and quality exigencies of the markets, it is necessary to invest a lot of money in the orchards all year long.”
Last season some important alternative markets of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine were not accessible to them following the war. This has opened a bit in Russia, while Ukraine remains more affected says Coito.
For more information:
Monica Coito
Naranjales Guarino
Tel: +598 4733 3974
Email: mcoito@guarino.com.uy
www.guarino.com.uy/en