Export of citrus fruit in Israel in 2009

Out of total citrus exports in 2008/9, 48.9 percent and 31.3 percent were the grapefruit and easy-peelers varieties, respectively. On the other hand, the market share for oranges has decreased by nearly 20 percent, from 19.9 percent market share in 2007/8 to 16.0 percent market share in 2008/9.

 

Oranges – due to continued competition from other oranges suppliers combined with decreased growers’ revenues from oranges exports, exports of oranges in MY 2008/9 decreased by 8 and 21 percent compared MY 2007/8 and 2006/7, respectively.

 

Easy Peelers – In recent years, exports of easy peelers have increased and are expected to continue to increase in the forthcoming years. Post estimates that Or variety exports will continue to increase significantly in the near future (in MY 2008/9 Or exports totaled nearly 18,000 tons). In addition, Suntina variety exports reached a record high of 17,627 tons in 2008/9. It is estimated that Suntina exports will increase about 5-10 percent in 2009/10.

 

Grapefruit – In 2008/9, exports of red grapefruit (Sunrise variety) increased by 10 percent compared to the previous year and red grapefruit exports are expected to continue to grow by 5-10 percent in 2009/10. Exports of white grapefruit in 2008/9 were unchanged from the previous year and totaled 11,520 mt, of which 20 percent was exported to Italy. On the other hand, exports of sweetie variety decreased 10 percent compared to the previous year. The decrease was mainly due to the decrease in sweetie exports to Japan.

 

Other Citrus - Due to continued competition from China, post estimates that exports of the white and red pomelo varieties to Europe and Japan will continue to decrease in MY 2009/10. As a result of increased demand for lime in the local market, there were no lime exports in MY 2008/9. However, due to increase in local lime production in 2009/10 combined with increasing demand for lime in Europe, post estimates that in 2009/10 lime exports will total about 500-700 tons.