CAPE TOWN: Southern African citrus exports have now surpassed the 2015 figure to hit a record this season, in what has been described as a successful campaign on the whole that saw good returns for most categories. With a couple of weeks still left to go for some commodities, total packed volume at the end of week 38 stood just shy of 120 million 15-kilo cartons (1.8 million metric tons), surpassing 2015’s 118.4 million cartons. The latest prediction is for 121.9 million cartons, against an original estimate of 122.7 million. The decrease on the forecast is due to a significant reduction in Navel volume related to fruit drop that was largely offset by increases for lemons, Valencias and soft citrus. Lemon exports are now forecast to reach 19 million compared to the original estimate of 17.5 million, while Valencias are expected to finish up 2.1 million cartibs higher on 52.2 million and soft citrus is pegged 400,000 higher at 13.8 million.
Navel volumes have fallen by some five million cartons against initial forecasts to 21.2 million, while grapefruit ended up slightly higher than the projection of 15.6 million. Speaking to Fresh Fruit Portal, Citrus Growers Association (CGA) of Southern Africa CEO Justin Chadwick said that following the Navel fruit drop many had anticipated the final citrus export level to finish well short of the 122 million mark. “At one stage people were talking about 112 million cartons as being a possible figure, but I think people didn’t realize the extent to which the lemons and soft citrus would increase,” he said. “Then on the Valencia side the quality and packouts have been really good. The crop also came a week or so early, and that meant people could substitute Navels for Valencias.” Chadwick attributed the rise in lemon and soft citrus volumes to new plantings coming on stream and the Valencia increase due to good growing conditions in the northern regions.
