Browse Data and Analysis

Chilean area planted with cherries is growing consistently and will reach 52,000 hectares in marketing year (MY) 2022/23. Post projects that, due to favorable climatic conditions and abundant rainfall, MY 2022/23 cherry yields will increase. For MY...

MY 2021/22 citrus production in the EU is projected to drop by five percent as unfavorable weather conditions pushed yield down in the main EU citrus-producing Member States. The lower domestic supply is expected to reduce exported amounts of citrus. Imports are projected to expand, in response to the lower EU production available and the return to close to pre-pandemic tourism activity.

Argentina’s raisin production is forecast to remain stable in Marketing Year (MY) 2022/23 at 44,500 metric tons (MT). During December, crops suffered some negative effects from hale and strong winds, but managed to resiliently overcome these weather events. Exports are forecast at 39,000 MT, with Brazil as the primary destination, accounting for 70 percent of the Argentine exports.

China’s cherry production is forecast at 650,000 MT in MY 2022/23, driven by expanded area in the northwest and southwest. Cherry imports from the U.S. are expected to fall because of reduced supplies and COVID related logistical issues.

Post production estimates for tangerines/mandarins, oranges, lemons, and orange juice remain unchanged from the December 9, 2021 Annual Citrus Report. MY 2021/22 export figures are revised based on trade data.

The Brazilian orange crop for Marketing Year (MY) 2021/22 is forecast at 414.4 million 40.8-kg boxes (MBx) or 16.91 million metric tons (MMT), an increase of 15 percent vis-à-vis the current season, supported by good weather conditions as of October 2021.

South Africa is set for record citrus exports of 2.7 million tons in marketing year 2021/22 despite ongoing challenges. Favorable weather conditions, new areas under production, and higher demand in premium markets, such as the United States, are driving the growth in exports.

Turkey’s citrus production for MY 2021/22 is forecasted up year-over-year in large part due to improved weather conditions compared to the previous year’s hot weather. While production is up, growers are seeing profit margins shrink as input costs, such as fuel and fertilizer, increase at a faster clip than farm gate prices.

For marketing year (MY) 2021/22, Post revises its estimates for fresh lemon production to 1.90 million metric tons (MMT), up by 15 percent, due to favorable weather conditions. Fresh orange production is projected to increase to 920,000 metric tons (MT), and fresh tangerine production is expected to increase to 400,000 MT.

Citrus production in Chile increased the past ten marketing years. Lemons and mandarins became a profitable alternative to table grape and avocado producers in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana and O’Higgins. Production of oranges remains relevant, but area planted has not increased as with lemons and mandarins.

For Marketing Year (MY) 2021/22, Post forecasts that fresh deciduous fruit production is estimated to decrease by 7 percent, due to unexpected frost that affected the crops at beginning of October 2021. Some producers had active frost defenses in place and were less affected, while others experienced serious crop losses.