Uruguay forecasts citrus rise

Uruguayan citrus output is forecast to rise in 2012 on levels reached during 2011, according to latest figures from the Uruguay’s agriculture ministry. Total citrus volumes are expected to climb by 18 per cent year on year to reach 318,780 tonnes.

Oranges continue to make up the lion’s share of the crop accounting for a forecast 156,237t in the upcoming season, a 16 per cent rise on 2011.

Easy-peel output is expected to increase as growers increasingly look to renew their plantings.

The harvest is predicted to be some 29 per cent up on last year at 120,097t.

This line is growing in popularity at the expense of grapefruit, which once again is likely to see volumes fall back, this time by a forecast 31 per cent to 2,481t.