SA expects to produce
more citrus fruits this
season
G
iven the expansion of the acreage and
the ideal weather conditions recorded
in the main producing regions of
Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and
Mpumalanga, South Africa expects its citrus
production to increase this season.
The drought in the Western Cape will
likely lead to a decline in the production of
mandarins; however, their tariff-free export
to the United States under the African Growth
and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is expected to
continue recording strong annual growth.
Subsequent estimates indicate that the
country’s grapefruit production will increase
by 5% and reach 370,000 tonnes in the
2017/18 season, mostly due to the expansion
of the acreage and the good weather
conditions in the main producing regions of
Limpopo and Mpumalanga.
Grapefruit exports are expected to grow by
4% and reach 240,000 tonnes in the 2017/18
season, based on the increase in production,
strong demand in Asia and some EU countries,
and export statistics up to April 2018.
The production of oranges will grow by 8%
to 1.47 million tonnes in the 2017/18 season,
mostly thanks to the normal amount of
rainfall and an expansion of the acreage in the
AgriKultuur |AgriCulture
main producing regions of Limpopo, Eastern
Cape and Mpumalanga, which account for
about 82% of the total area devoted to the
production of oranges. The fruit’s exports
are expected to be 4% higher, reaching 1.22
million tonnes in the 2017/18 season, based
on the increase in production, the growth in
the demand from China and Hong Kong, and
South Africa’s successful efforts to address
the challenges posed by black spot in the EU
market.
The production of mandarins is expected to
fall by 2%, to 255,000 tonnes, in the 2017/18
season, mainly due to the impact of the
drought, which has led to lower yields in the
main producing region of the Western Cape.
The export of mandarins in the 2017/18
season is expected to increase by 5%, to a
total of 220,000 tonnes, based on the sector’s
strategy of prioritising export markets over
national ones, and the strong demand for this
fruit in the world markets.
Source: simfruit.cl
http://www.freshplaza.com/article/197764/
South-Africa-expects-to-produce-more-citrus-
fruits-this-season
Publication date: 7/5/2018
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