PE_clementine mandarins

Peruvian mandarin exports reached US$77m between January and August this year, an increase of 23.1 per cent on the same period of 2013, according to exporter association Adex.

The US was the main destination, accounting of US$23m of shipments or 30.4 per cent of the export total. This was an increase of 62.4 per cent on last year. Shipments to the UK –Peru’s second biggest mandarin market – were also up, rising 17.5 per cent to US$18.4m.

Other countries which saw an increase in sendings were Russia (up 30.1 per cent to US$2.3m); Colombia (+54.8 per cent) and Sweden (+52.7 per cent).

Adex said the rise was principally due to increased production as it was an alternate bearing year. Quality was also reported to be particularly good this year. Peru produces mandarins year-round but the main production season runs from April to August.