The Complejo Agroindustrial Beta Company produced 6,500 tons of tangerines this season (2014), of which it exported 3,900 tons, and destined the rest (2,600 tons) for the domestic market, said CEO Lionel Orbegozo Arce.
The company, he pointed out, has 100 acres of tangerines located in Chincha, where they plant two varieties: Okitsu, an early variety (February-April) that had to be harvested in March this year because of weather issues; and Owari, whose season runs from April to May.
Of the 6,500 tons produced by Beta, 1,950 tons correspond to the Okitsu variety (30% of the total) and 4,550 tonnes to Owari (70%), he said.
He also stressed that most of the Okitsu production was destined for the domestic market, which had interesting prices for the citrus, especially between January and March; prices that didn't motivate producers to export. Meanwhile, most of the Owari was shipped to international markets.
Lionel Arce said that, since the fruit came in late this season, they were able to stock up on volume and the price offer was stronger than in other years.
Tangelo
Regarding the tangelo campaign (of the Minneola variety), which will start in mid June and end in late July, he said they expected production to come close to 9,200 tons, 65% of which (6,000 tons) would be exported and the rest would be directed to the domestic market.
The company has 100 hectares of tangelo in the district of Paracas (Pisco Province, Ica).
Source: Agraria.pe