Peru citrus

Peru’s citrus exports garnered US$2.9m in the first quarter of this year, according to the Peruvian Association of Exporters (ADEX).

Exports grew 85.3 per cent, with shipments of Peruvian citrus in high demand in Europe and North America.

Mandarin shipments in the March quarter accounted for US$1.8m, a 279 per cent increase from the same period last year, with high demand from the UK, the Netherlands, Canada and Ecuador.

The value of Tahitian lime exports grew 78 per cent to US$582,250, with major export destinations including the US, Panama, Chile and the UK.

ADEX reported a record US$96m-worth of citrus was exported during 2013, amounting to 97,450 tonnes.

While Peruvian citrus is produced year-round, the peak season is only just kicking off, running from April to August.