CAPE TOWN: The Citrus Marketing Forum (CMF) estimates a total of 131.7 million 15-kilogram-cartons of citrus will be packed and passed for export, compared to 123 million last year. The figures relate to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.
Citrus Growers Association of South Africa (CGA) CEO Justin Chadwick said general trends to be expected across most varieties for the season include good internal quality, normal sizing and good external appearance due to the warm and dry climatic conditions experienced during the summer months.
Chadwick said a good grapefruit crop was expected, with exports estimated 8% up year-on-year at 14.8 million cartons. Pigmented varieties account for the bulk of the export with an expected 13.1 million-carton crop, while white grapefruit volumes are up 2% to 1.7 million cartons.
“For the bigger producing regions, Letsitele expects a medium to heavy crop, 14% up on last year’s to 4.3 million cartons, and normal fruit sizes,” he said.
“Hoedspruit expect a 7% increase over last year to 3.8 million cartons, recovering from their 2.4 million cartons drought and hail induced disaster in 2016. Limpopo River expect the same volume as last year with fruit size improving with late rains. Swaziland start select picking mid-March whilst Zimbabwe start in week 14, which is normal.”
Chadwick said Letsitele, which accounts for almost a third of the volume, attributed their region’s 8% anticipated growth to 15.2 million cartons to good growing conditions and recovery from the drought.
“The second largest player, Sunday’s River Valley sees a recovery to seven million cartons in 2018 approaching 2015 levels after two years in the six million cartons range,” he said.
“Senwes’ production volume is the same at six million cartons, but quality is better. Nelspruit experienced hail damage and although they have normal sized production they expect 34% less exportable fruit to be packed this year. Western Cape volumes are 7% down on last year due to dry conditions whilst sizes are uncertain due to weather conditions
The estimated Navel export volume is set to return to normal from last year’s “disastrous” 21.1 million cartons with 25.58 million cartons expected in 2018. This is still 2% down on 2016’s volumes.
“It expected that future growth in this commodity will come from late maturing varieties with early maturing orchards being taken out. Senwes is the biggest exporting region showing 5% growth to 6.5 million cartons attributed to less hail damage this year,” he said.
