"We have gone from producing 2,300 tons of clementines in 1990 to 15,000 tons today"

The citrus campaign of the COAB producer organization, based in Corigliano Rossano in the province of Cosenza, began in the first week of October. "We've started with the first quantities of the early varieties Caffin and Spinoso, and it wasn't without difficulties. We worked with zero stocks until…

"Egyptian citrus prices will be more competitive than those of Turkey and Greece"

Egyptian exporters are gearing up for the citrus season, which officially begins on December 15, but it remains unclear how prices will compare to last season. Mahmoud Esawy, export manager at Al Wessam Company for Agri Crops, shares his insights. According to previous statements from professional sources,…

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What is the orange peel theory?

The "Orange Peel Theory" is a trending concept on TikTok, used to evaluate the depth and authenticity of personal relationships, whether romantic or platonic. The theory suggests that small, thoughtful acts of service, such as peeling an orange for someone without being asked, can be indicators of genuine love and care. This…

Egypt’s unprecedented orange export boom to Spain

In the MY 2022/23, Egypt achieved a remarkable milestone by exporting a record volume of oranges to Spain, multiplying its exports manifold, as reported by EastFruit. This feat allowed Egypt to ascend to the premier position among orange suppliers to Spain for the first time. In the first 11 months of the…

Due to orange supply shortage, global juice supply may decrease

The world supply of orange juice has been decreasing in Brazil and in the United States. Although the consumption has also been reducing in major consumers (the US and the European Union), the supply decrease has been more intense compared to the demand, which is concerning regarding the global supply.…

Climate change impacts Mediterranean citrus

Turkey’s citrus industry has already experienced effects from climate change, Okan Ozkaya, professor at Cukurova University, reported in a recent World Citrus Organisation (WCO) presentation. His presentation was titled Impact of Climate Change in the Citrus Sector in Turkey and the Broader Eastern…

In 2023, citrus imports in the Primorsky Krai have surged by 1.5 times

In 2023, citrus imports in the Primorsky Krai have surged by 1.5 times, reaching 32,200 tons from nine different countries, as reported by the Primorsky Interregional Department Rosselkhoznadzor. This marks a substantial increase compared to the last year when 21,900 tons of citrus fruits were imported…

"Our growers now cultivate citrus without the use of pesticides"

The Turkish citrus season will be a longer one this year, and exporters won’t be able to sit still to rest. Okan Eryilmaz, owner of Turkish fruit exporter Tekasya, states their packhouses have been going at full speed for months now: “We’ve had a very fruitful start of the citrus season. Demand has been…

“Leave your chair and get on the back of a mule in Colombia”

Buyers and importers of avocados, mangoes, lemons and exotic fruits are challenged by rural growers deep in the highlands of Colombia to “get out of your comfort zones, leave your chair and get on the back of a mule,” says Claudia Bernal, owner of Mountain Range Produce. She says they started their first…

"We are actively working to mitigate these increases"

The current season has been particularly difficult for citrus production in Spain, a major supplier to the European market. Extreme weather conditions, notably heat waves followed by periods of frost, have disrupted citrus growth and ripening. "Within our group, Citri & Co, we recorded a 20% drop in…

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"I see oranges as a major challenge this year, especially in terms of appearance"

This year, the Spanish citrus season began with a slight delay at the end of September with the early varieties Satsumas / Okitsu. "As brand sellers, we usually only start with the Oronules and Arrufatina varieties from mid-October. Here, too, there was a slight delay this year due to the persistently…

Congressmen urge USDA to buy California Navels

Four California congressmen recently asked U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas Vilsack to have the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) buy $100 million worth of California navels. The orange purchase would help alleviate the impacts of storms. The letter from Congressmen Jim Costa, David Valadao, Doug…

Fruit flies threaten Multan orange and kinnow orchards

Increased fruit fly activity is causing significant concern in Multan as orchards, particularly those cultivating orange and citrus fruits, grapple with an aggressive infestation. Spanning across 16,000 ha in South Punjab, the pests seem to have specifically targeted orange and kinnow orchards. The…

"We are seeing a significant growth in the demand for clementines"

The clementine campaign is already underway with the Clemenules (the predominant variety) and sales are reaching their peak as the demand picks up, even though prices remain high. "We started our citrus campaign with the Marisol and Oronules varieties and, later, with the Arrufatina. Two weeks ago, we…

The ripening process is slow, but Italian clementines are in demand.

"Around this time in 2022, we were shipping up to two truckloads of clementines to European countries on a daily basis. This year, we had to wait until almost the end of November for the first full truck to leave the country. The mild Autumn weather has delayed the clementines from starting to ripen. In…

Supply of finger limes is growing

The export of finger limes from Guatemala to Europe is about to come into a key part of its season. “We have very good fruit for this year-end campaign that we will start in a few days. Although we have fruit all year round, this is the season where there is the greatest demand,” says Edilson Hernández…

Turkish citrus: Growers and consumers faced with unsold produce and rising costs

Turkish citrus growers and consumers are seeing fruit prices skyrocket from the orchard to the supermarket shelf due to a complex web of factors, including labor costs, transportation and market dynamics. According to Burak Karabucak, the head of a citrus producers' association in the southern province…

Over 23,000 tons of mandarins were imported into Russia through the Krasnodar Krai in a week

In the past week, more than 26,000 tons of citrus fruits were brought into Russia through the Krasnodar Krai. The fruits were delivered from Turkey, Egypt, and Abkhazia. The main volume, exceeding 23,000 tons, consisted of mandarins, with around 2,000 tons of oranges and 765 tons of grapefruits also…

Brazilians discuss how to avoid Florida’s fate with greening

Brazil’s government, institutions and citrus growers need to join efforts to overcome greening “so that Brazil does not go through the same situation as Florida,” a São Paulo agriculture official declared November 7. Orlando Melo de Castro, undersecretary of agriculture, made those remarks to about 500…

Slow demand and falling prices for lemon and grapefruit due to predominance of smaller calibers

It is still very quiet in the European lemon and grapefruit markets, with slow demand and falling prices for the Spanish production, which is affected by an overall reduction in sizes. "France is our main export destination. Consumption there has been notably affected by the torrential rains and floods in…

Difficulties have arisen in the Turkish citrus sector due to unsold produce and rising costs

Burak Karabudak, head of the citrus producers' association in the Adana province, expressed concern over the sharp increase in prices for mandarins in markets and stores, citing elevated expenses in fuel, labour, packaging, and transport as the main reasons. Yashar Ozkan, head of the Agricultural Chamber…

"The heat means smaller Clemenules, but those are ideal for burlap Sinterklaas bags"

Sinterklaas has arrived in Belgium and the Netherlands. Supermarkets are offering many Sinterklaas-themed candies and cookies. Sanllo, too, has now started offering its clementine-filled burlap Sinterklaas bags again. "For that, we use Clemenules, the best variety each year. That coinciding exactly with…

Small calibres and fixed prices for tobsine clementines

"The first tobsine clementines from the Alicante region arrived around 12/13 November. The quality is good, but the prices are firmer than last year. According to our suppliers, this is due to the fact that there are smaller quantities available this year," says Managing Director Detlev Köster (right). In previous years, the company Johann Köster GmbH & Co. KG from Lilienthal r…

Lower than predicted growth as a result of ongoing challenges facing growers

In the 2023 export season Southern African citrus growers packed 165.1 million (15kg) cartons for delivery to global markets. While this is an increase of approximately 800 000 from the packed figures of last year, it is still 500,000 cartons lower than the forecast at the start of the season and more…

Economist provides Brazilian citrus update

Agriculture is the driving force in the Brazilian economy, and Brazil is a leading food supplier to the global market, economist Marisa Zansler told the Florida Citrus Commission (FCC) at its last meeting. Zansler is director of economic and market research at the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC). She…

Rains beneficial to orange production in the interior of São Paulo

The rains at the beginning of October in the interior of São Paulo contributed to the development of oranges for the 2023/24 harvest, that was affected by a period of drought months earlier. With international prices on the rise and greater industry demand for the fruit, the crop is still at risk in the…

Tunisian citrus crop increases by 26% in 2023

According to the Interprofessional Fruits Grouping (GIFruits), the citrus crop for the 2023-2024 season edged up to 365,000 tons, an increase of 26% compared with the last season. The increase is due to the 33% rise in the production of clementines, 26% in the production of Maltaise variety of oranges…

Last details before the start of the Sicilian blood orange campaign

In Sicily, on the slopes of Mount Etna, the new citrus campaign, which began with blond oranges, is now in full swing. Among the companies in the heart of the Catania plain is the Uniterra Sicilia Group - Arancia Loretta, based in Paternò. Carmelo Frisenna "After the excellent start with the blonde Loretta…

BiH bans import of Croatian mandarins due to detection of chlorpyrifos

Due to the presence of the pesticide chlorpyrifos, the Federal Administration for Inspection Affairs has banned the import of mandarins from Croatia into Bosnia and Herzegovina. The use of chlorpyrifos is prohibited in agricultural production in the country and the EU. The importer was ordered to return…

Gerardo Diana calls for "Immediate suspension of the imports of all citrus from South Africa"

The chairman of Consorzio Arancia Rossa di Sicilia, Gerardo Diana, is calling for the "immediate suspension of the imports of all citrus fruits coming from South Africa and the application by the EU of the same measures applied by third countries to the export of olives affected by Xylella." Gerardo Diana "The official data from the Europhyt-Traces portal confirm that, u…

"Good Moroccan Clementines demand as the festive season nears, especially in Pitufo packaging"

The Moroccan Clementine season has begun at Wilko Fruit in the Netherlands. "We're getting those from the Agadir, Marrakech, and Berkane regions. Their quality, color, and flavor are great, with a Brix between 11 and 12. They're just a little smaller than other years," Stefan Baremans says. The citrus market…

First harvest of Clemenules with the Nuleta brand, which will give value to their origin

Yesterday, the Clemenules harvest in the region of La Plana, in the province of Castellón, for which the Nuleta brand was recently created, officially started with an event in which the first fruit was cut. The event was held at a Clemenules orchard in the municipality of La Vall d'Uixó, the area of the…

A good window for lemons from Mexico

It’s Thanksgiving week in the US and demand as well as pricing is very good for lemons. “During the holidays, there is always a celebration and lemons are included in many dishes and cocktails,” says Ronnie Cohen with Vision Global Group. This time of year, the company brings in lemons from Mexico and a…

Key factors driving increased imports of citrus, cashews, and dates

Experts from the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the import trends for citrus fruits (kiwi, mandarins, oranges), cashews, and dates in Uzbekistan from 2018 to 2022. In 2022, the import of citrus fruits, cashews, and dates in Uzbekistan…

"We haven't harvested a lot of the kakis affected by the wind storm to avoid saturating the second-class market"

The 2023/2024 kaki season has come off to a very good start at the commercial level, as volumes have recovered and the demand and prices have been good. However, strong winds in late October and early November have caused some setbacks. "The ripening of untreated kakis in the fields had been happening…

"The export of Spanish lemons remains limited because the market is not really active"

The lemon campaign in Spain has so far been affected by a lack of demand from the European markets that is causing prices to drop constantly. In week 45, average prices at…

'A sweet outcome for the citrus industry'

Applications are now open for the citrus industry to weigh in on the new alternative assurance model for citrus packhouses and growers. Acting Deputy Secretary for Trade, Nicola Hinder PSM, said the model recognises current industry practices and leverages off commercial systems already in place between…

Growing interest in Red Lina pigmented orange variety

The Company of Protected Varieties (CVVP) recently organized visits to experimental farms in Huelva, Spain, attended by more than 100 people interested in learning about the pigmented orange variety Red Lina. The company highlighted the success of this variety, originally from South Africa, among those…

More Pomelo trees being planted in California

Pomelo harvesting is well underway in California and the crop is looking good. “Pomelos are generally first harvested in late October by a lot of people,” says Tony Marquez from Pearson Ranch. “I think the volume this year will be a bit more, and in the future, there will be more Pomelos available…

Brazilian researchers create applications that facilitate spraying and crop monitoring

The Agricultural Research Company of Minas Gerais (Epamig) has been participating in the development of applications to help synchronize spraying in citrus growing areas to combat greening. The prototypes were presented by researchers Margarete Volpato (coffee growing) and Ester Ferreira (citrus…

Israeli citrus production expected to reach 160,000 tons

Despite a variety of challenges, Betsalel Ohana, export manager for Planet Israel, is positive about the upcoming citrus season in Israel: “The cultivation period for Israeli citrus in 2023 has been largely favorable, with warm temperatures and adequate rainfall contributing to healthy fruit development.…

New heat wave worries São Paulo state citrus growers

A new heat wave has been concerning citrus growers in São Paulo state. Temperatures are higher than those registered in the last wave, in September, and the heat is lasting longer. The weather may affect the 2024/25 production, but it is still early to estimate possible impacts. Areas with late flowers…

Egyptian orange sizes better than they were last year

Overall, the orange season is going as expected in Egypt. According to Gehan Elsherif, executive manager for Egyptian fresh produce exporter G Fresh for Export & Import, coloring should improve even further after some rain next week: “The orange production has been going well this year, it’s been similar…

Spanish orange prices in the EU have increased by 48%

Official data confirms that Spanish orange prices this year, in which Spanish citrus supply will remain low and inflation continues present, remain at high levels. In a year…

"Specialties and citrus in high demand in the run-up to the festive season"

Last week's heavy rainfall in Belgium, especially West Flanders, slowed wholesale trade for a while. Despite that, Ellen Sebrechts of Sebrechts Groenten & Fruit says this week the festive season is increasingly important in year-end sales. "The shift has really started. High-end butchers are already…

Zimbabwe's horticultural sector is seeing recovery due to investment

Zimbabwe's horticultural sector, severely affected by violent land seizures two decades ago, is experiencing a recovery driven by increased investment. The industry is aiming to achieve $1 billion in exports by 2030, according to the Horticultural Development Council (HDC). In 1999, Zimbabwe's…

Northern Hemisphere 2023-24 citrus forecast shows recovery in production

The World Citrus Organisation (WCO) released its annual Northern Hemisphere Citrus Forecast for the 2023-24 season. It was released after the Global Citrus Outlook conference organized on 15 November by WCO. The forecast is based on data from Egypt, Greece, Israel, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey,…

Failed start to the Moroccan early clementine campaign

The early season for citrus in Morocco is complicated, to say the least, according to reports from professional sources in the largest citrus regions, namely Souss Massa, Berkane, and Marrakech. Volumes are down by half and sizes are too small for early clementines, due to intense heat and water…

Steady production of Darjeeling oranges is anticipated this winter

A steady production of Darjeeling oranges is anticipated this winter. Despite a decade-long decline, recent field reports suggest a stabilization in production. The department of food processing industries and horticulture is now considering establishing fruit processing units in the hills to utilize…

The hunt for oranges is on

A majority of the batches have already been purchased by traders or other Italian operators, so it is very hard to find unsold orange batches in the Ionian part of Puglia. A producer from Palagiano reports that "negotiations have been lively over the past few weeks. Demand is high and it's easy to sell entire productions. Prices are higher than during the past season and compatible with the current pr…

Egyptian citrus season to start on December 15

The Egyptian citrus season will start on December 15, according to several exporters citing an unofficial communication by the Agricultural Export Council. The season's kick-off comes two weeks later than usual, due to weather changes that alter the timing of fruit ripening. Amgad Nessem, export manager…

"This year, quality will determine prices"

In Southern Italy, temperatures are still above average for this time of year and there are difficulties with the ripening of citrus fruits. At the same time, the first clementines are being sold in supermarkets, but they are not yet ready for commercialization. "This is damaging the sector," say Tiziano…

EPA ban of Chlorpyrifos overturned by court

The federal Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on Nov. 2 ruled the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) failed to follow the law when it revoked chlorpyrifos tolerances — effectively banning the pesticide. “Its (EPA’s) decision was arbitrary and capricious … so we grant the petitions for review and vacate…

How the latest packaging solutions help citrus packaging companies improve their profitability

TOMRA Food is a world leader in the manufacture of optical sorting and calibration machines for the food sector. In the citrus sector, TOMRA solutions are already being used in the US, Europe, Australia, South Africa, North Africa, South America, and Asia. There are three TOMRA solutions that are ideal for…

Expansion of Leanri citrus variety in global markets applauded

Citrogold, a player in the citrus intellectual property and cultivar management industry, announces the successful expansion of the Leanri variety into global markets during the 2023 export season. With its distinctive characteristics, the Leanri variety has become a disruptor in the midseason window,…

Increasing citrus imports from China to the Urals in 2023

In 2023, the Middle Urals imported over 75,000 tons of fruits and vegetables. Uzbekistan is the primary supplier, contributing 87% of the total produce. Customs officials in…

Renewed hopes for the coming South African citrus season

South African citrus growers and importers are hoping that the last season, which saw below-average volumes, will be the exception and that a return to normal will be achievable for the 2024 season. Kashif Shahzad, Procurement Manager at Global Star, a Middle Eastern fresh fruits importer, shares his…

“In recent years, and especially in this inflationary context, Clemenules have been re-emerging”

The Spanish lemon season is currently in full swing, and after the last stocks from overseas have been cleared, Spanish fruit holds a "convincingly dominant" position in the European market, says Juan Antonio Martínez, from Toñifruit. "This year, given the production and quality we have, we will be able…

Widespread water protest planned

Basin communities, farmers and businesses will join forces for the nation’s largest ever protest next week against the Albanese Government’s controversial water bill. The coordinated action led by Deniliquin, Griffith and Leeton councils, along with key farming groups such as NSW Farmers and businesses, will see towns across…

"The wait was worth it. First Elefant-branded Navelina oranges have already arrived"

More than a week later than last season, Willem Dijk AGF has started marketing the Navelina oranges under the Elefant brand. "Last week, the fruit didn't yet have the right color and taste. According to Vicent Aguado, director of Exportaciones Aguado, we have to be patient to make this season a success…

Trellis-growing could be a 'game-changer' for citrus industry

Trellis-growing is being explored as a potential game-changer for the New Zealand citrus industry following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle to a Gisborne orchard. The cyclone affected over 700 new seedless Eureka lemon trees, prompting growers to consider alternative growing methods. Trellis-growing…

Citrus greening has entered key lemon growing region in California

Ventura County, located in the southern part of California, is arguably the most beautiful place on earth to grow lemons. While the county is known for gorgeous beaches and beautiful mountain ranges, it is also a key agricultural area with the production value of lemons amounting to $253.7 million in…

Price change for mandarins and oranges in Ukraine

The prices for popular citrus fruits, namely oranges and mandarins, have decreased in Ukraine. The average cost of mandarins has dropped from 1.57 to 1.25 EUR per kilogram.…

A better way to peel mandarins?

People usually peel mandarins and eat their sections. In the last few hours, however, almost everyone on X is hallucinating with a video that has gone viral and that shows a trick to eat it in a…

Greek lemons are in short supply, and street markets are flooded with imports

The Aegialia region in Greece faces a lemon crisis, with a drastic 50% reduction in yields due to unfavourable spring climatic conditions. Producers report slow citrus…

South Korea's Jeju to export Gyul tangerines to New Zealand for first time

The southern resort island of Jeju is set to export its famous winter specialty, "Gyul" tangerines, to New Zealand for the first time. This marks a significant development in trade between South Korea and New Zealand, particularly since the two countries began negotiations for tangerine exports in 1999.…

Lemon, mango and grapes play significant role in boosting port's exports

From January to October, fruit exports through the container terminal (Tecon Salvador) operated by Wilson Sons in Brazil witnessed an impressive 304% growth compared to the same period the previous year, totaling 2,997 containers handled. Lemon, mango, and grapes played a prominent role in this surge,…

Stronger pricing starts out California’s navel season

Navel production is up and running in California. “We had our first Navel run last week week and the fruit had great color and gassed out better than expected,” says Chris Diaz of Fillmore-Piru Citrus (FPCA). The company began its season two weeks earlier than last year after it picked up acreage on an earlier…

EU orange imports came in at 94.041 tons in October

European average orange price (in € per 100 kgs) comes in at €80 this November, €4 over the 5-year average. In Spain, orange prices came out at €95 per 100 kgs on October, €30 above the 5-year average. In October, orange imports came in at 94.041 tons, with South Africa by far being the largest contributor.Click here…

Filipino producer looks to European market

Hi-Las Marketing Corp., a player in the agribusiness, has unveiled its strategic initiative to bolster market penetration by charting a course towards exporting fresh fruits to key European markets, notably Belgium. While historically centered on the Asian market, the company is now strategically…

Volumes of Portuguese citrus fruit are similar to last year

Portuguese citrus fruits still have a bright future ahead of them. Besides the PGI leaf orange, already well established on the French market, the clementines continue to gain market share. According to Eric Tastayre, managing director of Apifood, this is the “origin of the future” because these products…

USDA puts Florida all orange production at 20.5 million boxes

The U.S. Department of Agriculture citrus forecast of November put Florida all orange production at 20.5 million boxes. Florida non-Valencia orange production has been set at 7.50 million boxes, Valencia orange production at 13.0 million boxes and all grapefruit production at 1.90 million boxes.…

Brazilian limes doing well in European markets during 2023

Brazil’s main lime producing and exporting area, the São Paulo Region, is seeing a good 2023 harvest season in terms of quality in Europe, “but not as good as 2022,” says Cassiano Berol, head of the export department at UP-Fruit. “Over the last few weeks Brazil sent 50/60 containers per week, in week 44 Brazil…

UF hopes to speed solutions to citrus greening and other crop diseases with new center

University of Florida scientists plan to utilize $2 million from an initiative by UF President Ben Sasse for a Crop Transformation Center to help Florida farmers improve production of citrus and specialty crops. One of the main goals for the center is to find citrus varieties that can tolerate or even…

"Serious competition from China and Turkey on the Asian markets"

As various countries have started up their citrus season, there’s a lot of movement in the market for certain products, says Triland CEO Mariya Dermendzhieva: “Our company sources citrus from Egypt, South Africa, Argentina and China, and then exports them. We just finished the export of Chinese honey…

MRL compliance crucial for citrus exporters

Maximum residue limits (MRLs) are a constant concern for growers. MRL issues can create a variety of obstacles depending on which market citrus exports are destined for. While the industry generally complies well with MRLs, caution is crucial as they can be a significant hurdle. Jim Cranney, president of…

Better availability for Turkish citrus

The Turkish citrus season is in full swing, and it seems to be a rather better season than the last one, says Coskun Eren, marketing manager for Turkish fresh produce exporter Eren: “We normally started our season around mid-September with the Meyer lemons. Nowadays, Meyer is still on the shelf, but we…

Peruvian lemon exports plummeted in September

In September, Peru exported 696 tons of lemon for US$951,000, i.e. 64% less volume and 53% less value than in the same month last year. That same month, Peruvian lemons…

"The decline of varieties like Oronules is causing others, like Clemenules, to be harvested ahead of time"

The Spanish clementine and mandarin campaign is underway with fewer clementines than usual, and soon the market will also see a significant drop in the supply of oranges. The lower prices of the small sizes, the most abundant this season, are having an impact on those of the more marketable fruit. Hispalco…

As Tahiti lime supply increases, prices move down

Regular rains registered in Tahiti lime producing areas since mid-September have been gradually increasing the supply of this fruit. Thus, the Tahiti lime supply in October…

Turkish industry parties request support of 2,250 Lira per ton for citrus exports

The average citrus crop is expected to be 6.4 million tons in the 2023-2024 season only in Mersin, Adana and Hatay provinces. A record production of around 7 million tons is…

Early cold spells help boost Florida tangerine Brix levels

Supplies of tangerines out of Florida continue to be steady with better fruit quality coming on. “The season started off in early September with some early varietals and the quality was decent,” says Jeff Stachelek of Noble Citrus, noting that that early crop sized smaller. “We have switched into another…

In Russia, the price of mandarins has increased by an average of 50% over the past year

According to Irina Koziy, the CEO of Fruitnews Information Agency, as of the end of October 2023, compared to the same period last year, the minimum price of mandarins in…

"Yunnan Sugar Orange has less volumes but better taste, market performance is ideal"

The Chinese Yunnan Sugar Orange began to be sold in late September, and the production season lasted for about two months. At present, it is at the peak of its sales. Due to the lack of domestic competing products in the market from September to October, the off-peak launch and sweet taste have made it…

The export of mandarins from Abkhazia to Russia has increased 2.4 times since the beginning of October

Despite this year being considered less fruitful than the previous one, Abkhazia has exported 2.4 times more mandarins to Russia since October, according to the State Customs…

Berkane clementine volumes halved due to adverse climate

The Berkane region in eastern Morocco, one of the country's strongholds of citrus production, is preparing to launch its early clementine export campaign. According to Mohammed Saidi, CEO of Vergers Domaine Tarifit, the region's growers are experiencing the same problems as those in Souss Massa, but are…

“Due to the wars, more Egyptian oranges will inevitably be shipped to Europe”

This year's orange campaign is starting with some delays in Seville as a result of the many months of drought that the province had to endure, and which have left an inevitable mark on this year's harvest. "The quality of the first orange, the Navelina, is not great, at least in the area where I work,"…

First Australian Citrus Congress focused on building profitable sector

The inaugural Australian Citrus Congress will focus on building a profitable future for the sector. Hosted by Citrus Australia at the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort on 5-7 March 2024, the event will bring together experts from across the global citrus industry. The 2024 congress marks the start of a new-look…

Malaga province citrus production has again reached pre-drought levels

This season's citrus harvest will recover to pre-drought production levels across Malaga province. However, the sector remains on high alert. This follows a devastating…

Bumper crop for Pakistan mandarins, season starts early

A bumper orange crop will be harvested in Pakistan this year. According to Arif Muhamed Rana, owner of Arif Fresh Fruits, the season will also start 15 days earlier than planned: “The orange season in Pakistan will commence from the 15th of November this year. Thankfully, it seems to be a bumper crop…

Mexican oranges in high demand due to quality issues with California Navels

“Mexico is a strong component to our overall core citrus program,” says Fernando Valle with TerraFresh Organics in California. “The grower co-op we represent is the largest supplier of organic Valencia oranges in the state of Sonora and we are proud of our 17-year exclusive partnership with them.”…

"The lime market is recovering, but volumes remain limited"

"After a summer that could have been better in terms of prices, we are seeing an upturn in the lime market. We've gone from 5-6 euros per pack to 9-10 euros per pack for Brazilian product. But overall, there is not as much supply. In Brazil, we are seeing declining production, blight, and other local…

Strong windstorm causes significant damage to citrus, kaki and avocado crops in the Region of Valencia

The windstorm of recent days, which is forecast to continue for a few days more, is already causing significant damage to many crops in the Region of Valencia due to the strong gusts it has brought, according to La Unió Llauradora. The most damaged crops are those that are currently in the middle of the harvesting…

Domenico di Paola GmbH

"The start of the season is extremely late this year"

The persistently high temperatures in Sicily are having a corresponding effect on citrus fruit growth. "We continue to have daytime temperatures of around 30-35 degrees and night-time temperatures of 20 to 25 degrees. However, the colouring of the fruit is heavily dependent on the temperature differences…

Several investors have expressed interested in the assets of Cítrics de Nules

As confirmed by several sources consulted by Castellón Plaza, several investors have expressed interest in taking over the citrus business of the cooperative Citrics de Nules…

"The issues with Spanish oranges mean an increased demand for those from South Africa"

Inferior quality oranges and mandarins and a kiwi shortage caused by crop issues in New Zealand. In these times when the climate significantly affects harvests, it can be difficult to get good product. It is a situation that suits Jaap van Dijk of the Dutch company Más Frutas to a tee. "I deal with…

Introducing Climate Smart Lemons

Limoneira is thrilled to announce the launch of its newest campaign, Climate Smart Lemons™. “Before the world began thinking of regenerative agriculture, we have been dedicated to ensuring that each generation can continue growing a sustainable lemon,” said Harold S. Edwards, president & CEO. “At the core, our growers and trees…

Assam lemons may be losing their distinctive genetic characteristics

With their distinctive aroma and flavor, the lemons of Assam are a very important part of the food of the region. These lemons are also exported to various parts of India and…

FFVA endorses glyphosate renewal in Europe

The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) recently submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service endorsing the European…

Citrus packaging orders also affected by off-season weather

Compared to last year, the current trend of the citrus season has shown an increase in pre-campaign orders for packaging companies. This is due to the fact that the farms had or expected a satisfactory harvest. This trend is confirmed by Antonio Castelluccio, Sales Manager of Pack System, a company…

Bipartisan push for USDA citrus purchases

After a record wet year and heavy citrus thrips pressure, a congressional letter was circulated to request that USDA authorize Section 32 purchases of high-quality USDA Grade…

UF hopes to speed solutions to citrus greening and other diseases with new center

Researchers from the University of Florida plan to utilize $2 million from an initiative by UF President Ben Sasse for a Crop Transformation Center to help Florida farmers…

Larger lemons in tighter supply from California

While the supply of lemons out of California is consistent right now, sizing is not. “So supply is inconsistent though just with sizing. The crop is peaking more towards smaller fruit coming out of District Three currently, but that should change once District One ramps up,” says Joshua Schwartz of Four…

Lawsuit claims that Congressman's nursery deceptively sold wrong type of lemon trees

In August of this year, California citrus grower Ron Turner accused Rep. John Duarte's family nursery of deceptively selling him the wrong type of lemon tree in 2015. At the…

Morocco has significantly reduced its exports of oranges

Despite being one of the world’s largest producers of oranges, Morocco has significantly reduced its exports of this product. According to EastFruit, only 30 thousand tons of oranges worth 13.7 million dollars were imported from Morocco to foreign countries in 8 months of 2023. For comparison, in the…

"With high citrus prices in the Moroccan local market, it's hard to export"

The late start to the Moroccan citrus season and the abundance of undersized early clementines are casting a shadow over exporters. Things are even more complicated for exporters to North America. Yassine Fellah, a Moroccan citrus exporter specializing in the North American market, told FreshPlaza, "Last…

Citrus Australia presents inaugural Australian Citrus Congress

Citrus Australia is excited to present the inaugural Australian Citrus Congress, a world class event focused on all things citrus. Join us at the spectacular Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort from 5-7 March 2024 to learn about the latest industry trends, meet people from across the citrus supply chain, and…

Lemon farmers in Nellore and Tirupati districts face crisis as prices of their citrus crops dropped sharply

Lemon farmers in the Nellore and Tirupati districts are facing a crisis as prices of their citrus crops fell sharply to below Rs 20 per kilo in the wholesale markets. This is due to several factors, including unfavorable weather conditions, a lacklustre monsoon and excessive production. Over the past…

New analysis reveals the reliability of South Africa's citrus and grapes estimates

At the end of September the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) released its first crop estimate of 73.0 million cartons (4.5 kg equivalent) for the 2023/24 season. Buyers use these types of estimates to plan their orders to keep shelves stocked at all times, as well as marketing campaigns to move…

Navel orange forecast promising for California growers

The initial forecast for California’s 2023–24 navel orange season is 74 million cartons; a one percent increase from the previous year. The figures from the California…

Organic lemon growers in Mexico are struggling

Organic lemon production in North America’s key Fall supplying regions, Mexico, and California, is down this year. “Mexico is suffering from financing issues as well as water problems, causing supplies to drop,” says Gene Loudon with Dovex. A lot of growers in the Tamaulipas region have been in a drought…

"Export demand for Linhai tangerines is rising steadily, with an increase of 20% over last year."

The export season for Linhai tangerines produced in Zhejiang, China, started in late September, and the first batch of exports was sent to Canada. It is understood that due to abundant rain during the growing period in August, the sourness of mandarins has decreased faster, and the launching time is…

Orange juice prices continue to break record highs in October

The orange juice market continues to rally globally, reaching new records in October since the series began in 1994 for the Mintec Benchmark price of Brazilian-origin orange concentrate delivered to Europe under FCA terms [Mintec Code: FJ01]. The current price is $5,390/mt, a 20% increase month-on-month…

Australian growers should check early for signs of European earwigs in citrus and cherry crops

In South Australia, the citrus lobby has been working with biological services experts to help growers detect, monitor and control European earwigs. Entomologist Dr Paul Horne and entomology consultant James Altman said the insects were widespread throughout the country, and mostly active at night during…

Lime market is finely balanced, but for how long?

The lime market is never stable and at the moment the European market is reliant on Brazil for supply as Central American countries have been supplying very little this season. “The reason that there is very little coming from other countries is higher prices in the US – with very little risk and a 3 day…

Alem GmbH

"Large demand for Turkish early mandarins"

At the beginning of week 44, the first Turkish early mandarins of this year's season were traded at the Stuttgart wholesale market. "Compared to other years, we start the season two to three weeks later, but the goods are of high quality. With prices around 1.30 euros/kg, we can also offer the goods at…

Spread of greening disease in Brazil pushes Greek orange prices higher

The extreme weather conditions during the summer did not have a significant impact on the citrus production in Greece, says Nick Nafpliotis, company director of fresh produce exporter Greek & Fresh: “Greece did experience extremely hot weathering last July. However, the citrus was fortunately not…

"Lime prices rebounded in mid-October, after a difficult period"

"September was difficult, with a still too-large lime supply for the time of year and thus low prices. After that, prices in Europe rebounded in mid-October," says René Bouman of the Dutch company Fruit Market International (FMI). According to him, that was partly because of the good local market in…

Orange juice prices hit all-time high due to meagre production outlook

Yesterday, orange juice prices rose to the highest since future contracts started trading in New York in 1966. The reason for this rise was the limited production outlook in…

Renewal of Agoa and the expansion of SA citrus exports could be very beneficial

This week, the 20th Agoa Forum is being held in Johannesburg. Government representatives from the US and eligible African countries are attending, alongside regional…

Florida Department of Citrus budget and tax rates set

The Florida Citrus Commission on October 25 set the Florida Department of Citrus (FDOC) budget and grower assessment rates for the 2023–24 season. The FDOC budget will be…

Growers from Tamaulipas state are looking for new markets in the US

A group of 20 producers from the Mexican state of Tamaulipas are participating in a trade mission and export seminar in McAllen, Texas, hoping to find new markets for their…

Blackcurrant and citrus extracts might help prevent type 2 diabetes

A team of European researchers has looked into the role of blackcurrant extracts in reducing blood sugar or glycemic levels after meals and investigated whether fruit fiber…

FreshPlaza Global Focus on Citrus

In November FreshPlaza will be focusing on the citrus sector. Are you a grower, importer or supplier of citrus? If so we would love to hear from you. You can send us some information or we can call you for an interview, just let us know. You can contact info@freshplaza.com MarketingWould you like to get…

Transgenic Citrus Studies progressing in the US

The search for solutions to HLB has been going on for nearly two decades. Growers and researchers have learned ways to improve nutrition programs to keep trees alive and…

Spanish grapefruit season starts with higher prices and a predominance of small sizes

The 2023/2024 Spanish grapefruit season is already underway with the arrival of the first lots at the points of sale. Prices are higher in general due to the high prices at origin, where small sizes abound. This season's Spanish grapefruit production is estimated at 90,000 tons, slightly over 1% more…

South African Citrus growers ask finance minister to support Transnet

The Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA) calls on the South African minister of finance to make the financial recovery of Transnet a priority, says Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa. The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, will deliver his…

"Spanish citrus market urgently seeking alternatives"

It seems Spanish citrus growers and exporters are facing an extraordinary season. "The general picture is that this year's going to be a genuinely tough season for primarily oranges, but also mandarins," begins Lisan van Koppen of Jaguar, the fresh company. She visited several Spanish customers and…