High prices for valencia oranges in Australia could last years
Mr Robinson said that, while new trees were in the ground, it would be at least three years before they started to produce fruit.
“The Florida citrus industry has been wiped out by the disease and that was the big juice area in the US,” he said. “The trees have been killed — it’s very serious.
Citrus Australia chief executive Judith Damiani said HLB was one of several factors affecting Valencia prices, including historically low plantings and an “extraordinarily” light crop this year.
With prices as they are, Australian growers have made $500-$600/tonne, up to $320 more than their usual price of $280-$300.
source: weeklytimesnow.com.au
