Peruvian citrus exports are tipped to increase slightly this year to 70,000 tonnes, according to the Peruvian Citrus Producers’ Association (ProCitrus).
General manager Sergio del Castillo Valderrama told Agraria.pe that sendings are anticipated to rise by 2 per cent compared with the 68,500 tonnes shipped in 2010.
The upturn in volume comes on the back of an increase in production of late varieties such as Minneola tangerines and Honey Murcott mandarins, whose exports last year reached 21,700 tonnes and 7,800 tonnes respectively.
“The expectations for this year are to have similar volume to last year with certain variations in late varieties like Okisu and Owari satsumas, harvested from March to May, which could possibly have 10 per cent less production,” explained Mr del Castillo Valderrama.
Market-wise, ProCitrus expects Peru will ship its first commercial volume of mandarins, orange and limes to Mexico this year as well as mandarins to Chile.
The majority of Peruvian citrus is distributed in the European Union (which absorbed 35 per cent of the volume last year), the UK (24 per cent), the US (23 per cent), Canada (10 per cent), South America (4 per cent), Russia (2 per cent), Central America (1 per cent) and Asia (1 per cent).
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