Peruvian early soft citrus production is forecast to fall by 30-40 per cent this season following higher-than-normal temperatures, which have resulted in a reduction of export quality fruit, according to the Peruvian Citrus Producers’ Association (ProCitrus).
Export volume is expected to fall to 51m tonnes against last year’s 64m tonnes, with value set to decline by 20 per cent to US$32m, compared with last season’s US$40m.
“Early mandarin satsumas have been particularly affected, with minneola tangelos down by 15-20 per cent alone, although for both categories sizes are bigger and both internal and external quality is excellent,” Sergio del Castillo, general manager of ProCitrus, told Fruitnet.com.
“In contrast, Peru’s Navel orange, clementine and late mandarin (Murcott and Fortuna) production should be normal in both volume and quality.”
Demand remains stable for Peruvian citrus in Europe and the US, and ProCitrus said suppliers are only shipping what the market demands since prices are down slightly at the moment.
“We are fulfilling programmes and fruit is moving,” added Mr del Castillo. “If the current situation continues for the next few weeks, we should end the season with positive results. The local market has also performed well and suppliers, especially small producers, are taking advantage of solid prices in Peru.”
Combined, Europe and the US account for 85 per cent of Peru’s citrus export crop. Exporters are continuing to explore avenues in Asia and may send some citrus to China via Hong Kong during 2009.
Above all, ProCitrus said Japan, Korea, Mexico and Chile are the four new markets Peru is concentrating on opening up this year.
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