Japan: Citrus Annual
Japan remains the largest export market for U.S. grapefruit, which are forecast to increase 15 percent to 30,000 metric tons (MT) in market year (MY) 2018/19 due to reports of improved production in Florida. Successive weather challenges decreased Japanese citrus production, especially of lemon and lemon-like acidic citrus near Hiroshima, where production was hampered first by frost, and then flooding and landslides. Japanese citrus area harvested continues to decline, though diversification of citrus varieties and increased lemon area reflect some areas of expansion.
