Export estimates for various citrus categories have been amended downwards: navels by 500,000 15kg cartons to reach an estimate of 24.8 million 15kg cartons; grapefruit by 100,000 cartons to 14.3 million cartons, over two million fewer than last year. Mandarins, on the other hand, is projected to see a small increase of 200,000 cartons, a product of recent buoyant soft citrus expansion, but late mandarins were also affected by the hail in November. Right: a Valencia orchard in Senwes after hail in November 2022But more pernicious was an August heatwave on late citrus varieties in bloom, particularly Valencia types and late mandarins, leading to blossom drop. Overall, in the Senwes area, Danny says, a 20% reduction in Valencias and late mandarins is expected with a concomitant increase in sizes, which necessitates a rethink of the marketing plan and packaging options. In Justin Chadwick’s latest newsletter, the CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association cites climatic conditions for also reducing the lemon export estimate by 1.6 million cartons.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 04, 2023 18:09 UTC