Citrus fruits in the southern hemisphere: production -3% but exports + 12%

WCO (World Citrus Organization) has published the first production and export forecasts for the citrus season in the southern hemisphere.

 

 

 

These forecasts are based on information from industry associations in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Peru, South Africa and Uruguay. WCO to include data from Brazil and Bolivia soon.

 

 

 

According to these preliminary forecasts, the 2020 citrus crops in the southern hemisphere should reach 8,387,341 tonnes, which represents a decrease of 3% compared to the 2019 harvest. Exports are expected to increase by 12% and reach 3,486,883 tonnes, which is explained by increased demand for citrus by consumers, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

 

By category, sweet citrus, lemons and limes show stable volumes, with production similar to that of 2019. Orange posted a slight decrease (-6%) and grapefruit slightly increased (3%) compared to to the previous year.

 

 

 

For exports, volumes increased in all categories, with an increase of 32% compared to 2019 for lime and lime.