Forecast of citrus production in Israel in 2008/09 season

In 2008/09, total citrus production is forecast at 570,000-590,000 tons, a 2-5 percent increase compared to the previous year.

 

Out of the total production, approximately 170,000 tons is expected to be exported, 252,000 processed, and the remainder consumed fresh.

 

In 2008/9, due to competition from other grapefruit suppliers combined with high shipping costs and unfavorable exchange rates of the Euro and the Dollar against the Israeli Shekel, exports of the Sweetie variety to Japan is expected to reach a nine-year record low (273,360 cases in 2008/9). On the other hand, demand for sweetie in S. Korea and China is increasing.

 

In 2007/08, citrus exports and deliveries to the processing industry decreased 6 and 22 percent, respectively, compared to the previous year.

 

The decrease in exports and deliveries to the processing industry was due to a decrease in local production combined a cold spell that hit Israel mid January 2008, which destroyed about 30,000 tons citrus, mainly lemons (20,000 tons), navels, red grapefruit and late easy peelers varieties.