Citrus Growers Association of Peru forecasts a 6% increase in citrus production.

In 2021, citrus exports by Citrus Growers Association of Peru (Procitrus), are projected to reach 230.000 tons, which would represent an increase of 6 percent compared to 217.450 tons exported in 2020.

Sergio del Castillo Valderrama, the general manager of Procitrus, highlighted that Procitrus assoiciates perform 81 percent of total Peruvian citrus exports, which in 2020 totaled 268.384 tons (+39 percent increase, compared to 2019).

This increase in exports by Procitrus associates is due to mandarins, which make up 85 percent of the volume of citrus fruits exported. It is estimated that in 2021 mandarin shipments would grow around 6 percent (mandarin exports increase by the same percentage as all citrus due to their high share).

In 2020, mandarin shipments increased by 45 percent compared to 2019; also oranges (+40 percent), grapefruits (+30 percent).

At the national level, exports of all citrus fruits (with the exception of tangelos) will continue to grow. 

The increase in mandarins comes from the late varieties, where the W. Murcott stands out, which is currently one of the most demanded in the market. Satsumas, Primosoles and Clementinas are the most popular early varieties.

Sergio del Castillo Valderrama stressed that the United States is the main destination for Peruvian citrus. In 2020 the U.S. imported around 110.000 tons of citrus fruits from Peru, of which more than 100.000 tons were mandarins.

Last year, the United Kingdom imported 45.000 tons of citrus fruits (36.000 tons in 2019), the same dynamic was registered in China, Canada and the Netherlands. The volume exported to China in 2020 grew by around 50 percent compared to 2019.