Chilean mandarins

A surge in mandarin production is set to lift Chilean citrus exports in 2017. According to the latest figures from the Chilean Citrus Committee, mandarin volumes are projected to climb 26 per cent compared to last year to 67,000 tonnes.

Orange exports will remain flat at 75,000 tonnes, while lemon and clementine exports will fall by 5 per cent and 2 per cent respectively to 72,000 tonnes and 42,000 tonnes.

Overall, shipments are forecast to increase by 3 per cent to 256,000 tonnes.

The new campaign got underway in week 15 with the first shipment of Rumbo clementines to the US.

Chilean clementines are available from April to July, while the mandarin season kicks off in August and runs through to September. Lemons are available from May to October and Navel oranges from June to October.