Chile: Citrus exports to rise in 2012
According to Juan Enrique Ortúzar, President of the Chilean Citrus Committee, the current citrus season in Chile is satisfactory and the weather has played a key role. "The climate was warm in the autumn, which helped increase brix levels and fruit size, while the colder winter helped give the fruit a bright orange colour, although so far we have not suffered any severe frosts," he pointed out.
Regarding production aspects, the lack of rain has allowed the picking to be carried out without major interruptions and has allowed the "brix and size to remain normal in navels, clementines and mandarins," he mentioned.
Ortúzar explained that, "in 2011, oranges led citrus exports with a 39.8% share of the total, followed by easy peelers with a 29.8% share, lemons with 29.6% and grapefruits with 0.8%."
The representative added that "this year, navel orange exports are expected to rise by 10%, reaching 69,000 metric tonnes. W Murcott shipments are expected to rise by 35% up to 19,000 metric tonnes, while clementines should rise 5%, reaching 34,000 metric tonnes; however, lemon shipments are not expected to rise significantly, with 45,000 metric tonnes."
Markets: Exports and Challenges
According to Juan Enrique Ortúzar, the US is the main market for Chilean citrus. "The US accounted for 70% of all exports last year, and this share is expected to rise in 2012. Second was the Far East, with 15% of all exports, almost half of all shipments to Japan. In third place was Europe, which with its share of Chilean citrus may well see a recovery of last year's losses, although it is still too early to be sure," assured the President of the Committee.
The executive indicated that the campaign is not without challenges, as Australia and South Africa in particular are being strong competitors. The season is quickly coming along and pack outs could still decrease in number if the maturing process becomes too fast.
Additionally, the lack of rain in the Coquimbo region is worrying, as the levels of water in reservoirs and snow in the mountains could be insufficient to meet irrigation demands next year.
Keeping a minimum level of quality for all the export fruit is also a source of concern for the committee. "The Chilean Citrus Committee oversees a program establishing minimum maturity levels for navels destined to the export market to ensure that they meet the basic market standards," said Ortúzar, finally adding that "a marketing campaign is underway to promote the fruit in the US and South Korea."
Source: Simfruit