The Cyprus Trade Centre in London unveiled this season’s citrus crop forecast.

Grapefruit exports of 18,000-20,000 tonnes approximately 80 percent of production will be broadly similar to last year with first harvesting beginning next week and exports on their way by the middle of the month.

Mandora, which is now the single largest citrus crop in Cyprus will continue to be exported almost in its entirety and this season is forecast to reach 27,000 tonnes. The product comes on stream in January with the estimate again fairly constant in comparison with last year.

Minneola too will be similar to last season at 1,500 tonnes and is due to arrive around Christmas and small quantities of Nova and Ellendale will also be available to market.

The Cyprus Trade Centre also revealed that token shipments of Oval oranges will continue this season, with Valencia due to be picked in February. Latest figures indicate that about 50 percent of the 26,000t crop will be shipped, slightly higher than last year.

Lemon harvesting and exports are expected to start mid-month with a 13,000t crop of which 10,000t will be shipped to Europe - both EU and non-EU countries.

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