Citrus exports and sizes from Chile during 2013 are tipped to be slightly lower than last year, according to the latest forecast from the Chilean Citrus Committee.
Committee president Juan Enrique Ortúzar told Americafruit that the anticipated volume decline comes in spite of new groves entering full bearing and as a result of drought.
In particular, clementine sizes will be smaller and exports are expected to fall from 34,800 tonnes in 2012 to 27,800 tonnes this year due to the prolonged drought in the Coquimbo region, Ortúzar explained.
This contraction in clementine volume is set to significantly impact Chile’s total citrus exports, Ortúzar said, although navel oranges are still expected to lead overall citrus shipments during the June through October season.
Within the navel category, the committee expects a 5 per cent increase in sendings this season as a result of new groves entering production, especially for early varieties.
Last year, Chilean navel exports rose to 69,000 tonnes, of which 52,000 tonnes were shipped to the US.
Late mandarins should also continue growing, according to the committee, although at a lower rate than last season.
Mandarin shipments are anticipated to increase by 15 per cent, up from 22,400 tonnes in 2012, of which 19,800 tonnes were shipped to the US.
Although weather conditions for the Chilean winter remain unclear, the committee believes the most likely scenario is that rains should return to normal, which points towards a normal harvesting period.
“It may not be sufficient to fill the water dams but it will still be enough to have a normal picking season without much risk of frosts,” Ortúzar noted.
Chile’s clementine harvest is predicted to start in late April, peaking in mid-May to early June (weeks 20 to 25), and expected to end by late July.
Navels are set to start lightly in late May but with significant volume available by early June, peaking in mid-July to early August (weeks 30 to 35).
Late mandarins should start in late August, peaking in mid-September, according to the committee.
Finally, the lemon season looks set to start a couple of weeks later than usual since domestic demand has been strong in April.
Chile’s lemon shipments should only begin by mid- to late May with significant volume.
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