CHILE - Chilean citrus saw powerful export North American numbers for 2015, with strong retail and consumer demand contributing to a record season for the country.
“We’ve had an incredible season in North America,” Juan Enrique Ortúzar, Chairman of the Chilean Citrus Committee, stated in a press release, adding that, despite strong competing supplies from South Africa, Australia, Uruguay, and Peru, Chilean citrus obtained double digit volume increases and strong market conditions across all commodities.
According to the committee, mandarins in particular saw a 54% jump, from 27,354 tons to 42,124 tons, in North America, which Managing Director for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association Karen Brux attributed to an important shift within the citrus industry.
“With the significant investment that’s been made in the marketing of mandarins, in particular, there is now strong year-round demand for easy peelers,” Brux, who directed Chilean Citrus’ promotion campaign, said. “Despite the more than 50% increase in mandarin volume out of Chile, we still had to cancel some promotions due to tight supply. This clearly demonstrates continued growth opportunities for Chilean citrus in North America.”
On a global scale, Chilean citrus export figures showed easy peelers at 37%, oranges 33%, and lemons 30%.
Several categories saw a jump overall, with increases as follows:
- Late Mandarins - 57%
- Lemons - 43%
- Oranges - 18%
- Clementines - 11%
As for what’s next, Ortúzar added that more growth is to come.
“We foresee 20% annual growth in combined volume of clementines and mandarins for at least the next three years, so total volume will exceed 100,000 tons in the short term,” he said, adding that new citrus varieties continue to be evaluated as the Chilean citrus industry seeks to drive the category forward.
While total citrus exports from Chile saw a 30% increase over last season, shipping upwards of 204,000 tons total of navels, lemons, and easy peelers like clementines and mandarins, North America remains Chilean citrus’ primary destination, taking 81% of export volume between May and October, 2015.
