Chilean rains hitting the central-southern zone of Chile have had widespread impacts, including damage to numerous fruit crops. However, the citrus industry appears to have been unaffected and is in fact forecasting a rise in exports in 2021 over the previous season.
Crispagold, a citrus and avocado reports on the industry’s export projections and its plans to increase its share of international markets such as China.
This year’s estimates show nearly a 20 percent growth, including at least four million boxes of clementines in the industry.
In 2020, the Chilean citrus industry had a decrease in orange volumes of 5.8 million boxes versus 6.5 million the previous year. This year 15 percent more fruit is seen, which would reach the same level as 2019, over 6 million boxes as an industry.
The U.S. will import 85 and 90 percent of Chile’s clementines and oranges respectively. The U.S. imports 50 to 60 percent of Chilean lemons, with 40 to 50 percent going to Japan and Korea.
Each year Chile exports about 550,000 boxes of oranges, 180,000 boxes of mandarins, 120,000 boxes of clementines, and 35,000 boxes of lemons.