The Citrus Committee of Chile foresees an increase of citrus exports in 2021.

Chile

Thursday 01 April 2021

Juan Enrique Ortúzar commented that last year's rains and the water accumulated in the reservoirs give them more optimism to face this season with less uncertainty than the previous one.

The Citrus Committee of Chile (ASOEX) forecasts a 6 % increase in volume of citrus exports for the 2021 season, with an estimated total of 387.000 tons.

Mandarins will experience the greatest increase, with +11 %, compared to the previous season; followed by clementines (+7 %), lemons (+3 %), while oranges will have no variation.

According to Juan Enrique Ortúzar, president of the Citrus Committee, this increase is due to the growth of plantations in the last decade. In total there are 22.230 cultivated hectares, with 8.427 corresponding to mandarin plantations, 7.376 hectares of lemons, 6.260 of oranges, and 167 of pomelo.

They plan to export 55.000 tons of clementines, +7 % compared to the previous season. Mandarins will add 145.000 tons (+11 %). Oranges

will keep the export trend of the previous season, with a total of 89.000 tons. Lemon deliveries will grow by 3 %, totaling 98.000 tons for this year.

Juan Enrique Ortúzar commented that last year's rains and the water accumulated in the reservoirs give them more optimism to face this season with less uncertainty than the previous one.

Destinations. The United States is the main destination market, with a total of around 85 %; followed by the Far East and Europe, with 9 % and 3 % respectively. The lowest stakes have Canada, Latin America and the Middle East.

In 2020, China opened the doors to Chilean citrus fruits, and throughout the season imported 1.031 tons of mandarins, 404 tons of oranges, 46 tons of clementines, and 5,650 tons of lemons.

source: asoex

photo: redagricola