Uruguay's Ministry of Livestock, Agriculture, and Fisheries' Agricultural Statistics Office (DIEA) published the results of the Spring 2023 Citrus Survey.
Orange, mandarin, lemon, and grapefruit production in 2023 was estimated at 245,826 tons. Production was led by oranges, the most cultivated species, and the total orange harvest was estimated at 88,454 tons. It was followed by the mandarin with 80,288 tons. Lemon production will stand at 76,324 tons and grapefruit production at an estimated 760 tons.
At the time of the survey, 91% of the citrus production had already been harvested.
The crop area was estimated at 13,289 hectares. Mandarin was the species with the most planted area with 5,614 hectares (accounting for 42% of the total area devoted to citrus fruits). Production is distributed practically in thirds among the three main species: orange, mandarin, and lemon, while grapefruit production is very minor (accounting for less than 1% of the production). Average yields ranged from 12.5 tons/hectare for grapefruit to 28.7 tons/hectare for lemon.
37% of the citrus production was exported as fresh fruit. Citrus exports were led by mandarin, with 43,600 tons, i.e. 54% of the total mandarin production. 37,000 tons of oranges were exported, equivalent to 42% of the total production of oranges.
Only 12% of the lemon production was exported; however, 69% of the production, i.e. some 52,000 tons, were allocated to the industry.
Source: gub.uy