Forecast of production of citrus fruit in Israel

The forecast for season 2009/10 is a total production of about 627,000 MT, a 10 % increase compared to the previous year.

 

 

Due to continued increase in the local planted area for red grapefruit and Or (easy peeler), it is estimated that in season 2009/10 the yield for red grapefruit and Or will increase by about 20-30 tmt and 10-15 tmt, respectively.

 

 

Due to the cold spell that hit Israel in mid January 2008, there were some continued negative effects on citrus yields, and citrus production in year 2008/9 increased only slightly and totaled 567,000 tmt.

 

 

In August 2009, planted area totaled 17,724 ha, of which 14,748 ha (83 percent) were fruit-bearing. In 2008 and 2009, about 1,436 ha of fresh citrus were planted, mainly easy peelers (Or & Ora), red grapefruit (Star-Ruby & Rio-Red), and newhole (oranges).

 

 

On the other hand, about 1,633 ha of fresh citrus were uprooted, mainly white grapefruit, sweetie, Shamouti (oranges), and pomelo (white & chandler).

 

 

Most of the citrus planted area is grown along the coastal plain, mostly in central and southern parts of the country.