Australian citrus exports to the USA are expected to rise this year, particularly for navel oranges, thanks to excellent growing conditions and a much more amenable US dollar exchange rate. Pack-outs of Class-1 quality citrus, and fruit ideal in size for the US market, will also be higher. ‘We had very little wind in the spring, so the fruit is looking exceptionally clean this year. We have not had extremes of weather or water shortages, so the fruit has grown well, and most importantly, the sugar levels are excellent. I guess we could call this a vintage season,’ says Andrew Harty, Market Development Manager for Citrus Australia.
Australia was the first country to push off-season citrus trade with the US from the 1990s, and has maintained its position, but a strong Australian dollar and increased competition from South Africa, Spain, Chile and Peru changed the playing field. “Fifteen years ago we were the only supplier of off season citrus, but the market is a lot more crowded than it was,” notes David Minnis, Chairman of the Australian Horticultural Exporters’ Association. This year Australia’s crop will be able to compete, he says. “I guess the signs are good to get back over a million cartons exported to the US. We’ve got a place because of fruit quality, internal colour and flavor.”
Affordable Australian fruit will be in demand in those conditions. “We can pitch our oranges at far more reasonable prices in the US and still make the numbers work our end. We have always had very sweet navel oranges, which have given us a competitive edge, and now more US consumers can again experience this great eating quality,’ adds Mr Harty.
Australia has still been exporting Citrus to other countries, and citrus usually comes second only to table grapes as Australia’s largest horticultural export. “We’ve maintained our position in the USA, but it’s not without a fight, certainly because there are so many suppliers [from other countries outside the US]. Exports declined and the industry focused more on Japan, which now takes more than 1.5 million cartons of Australian citrus per year,” adds Mr Minnis. ‘The US market has been a good friend to our industry over the decades so it is fantastic to see the interest rekindled on both sides. We are all looking forward to a superb Aussie summer navel season in America,’ adds Mr Harty
For more information
Andrew Harty,
Citrus Australia
Phone: +61 (0) 3 5023 6333 | M: +61 (0) 410 746 374
E-mail: andrew.harty@citrusaustralia.com.au
Website: www.citrusaustralia.com.au