Posts Tagged “Chilean clementines”
Total clementine citrus exports from Chile in 2018 are estimated to be at 52,000 metric tons, up 27 percent from 41,000 metric tons in 2017, according to the Chilean Citrus Committee. This estimate for 2018 is about double the exports of 2014.
Additionally, exports of Chilean mandarins for 2018 have been projected at 100,000 metric tons, up 32 percent from 76,000 metric tons in 2017. This year’s projected exports of mandarins are up more than three times 2014 exports of 30,000 metric tons.
Chilean clementines will be available primarily from mid-May to mid-August, while mandarins will be shipped from August to mid-November.
Growers in Chile expect an increase from northern growing areas, as an increase in rainfall in the past year and expanding acreage has boosted crop prospects by about 20 percent compared with 2017.
Heavier volume the first week of June is being followed by peak clementine volume in late June and early July. Murcott mandarin volume will peak in late September and into to October.
Chile controls the biggest share of U.S. summer easy peeler imports, according to 2017 trade statistics.
The USDA reports U.S. imports of Chilean tangerines and mandarins totaled 109,752 metrics tons in 2017, compared with 49,442 metric tons from Peru, 17,010 metric tons from Uruguay and 10,762 metric tons from South Africa.
Chilean exports of clementines began the week of April 2, one week ahead of the 2017 season, with about 1,440 boxes (21,600 metric tons) of oronules destined for the U.S.
Through April 23, Chile had exported 89,358 boxes (1,427 metric tons), down 17 percent from the same date of 2017.
While Halos and Cuties may command 85 to 90 percent of the market in the winter, that percentage is considerably less in the summer months
Counting supply from South Africa, Chile, Uruguay and Peru, shipments of easy peelers to the U.S. have grown from 111,000 metric tons in 2015 to 141,0000 metric tons in 2016 and 183,000 metric tons in 2017. For 2018, the combined volume from those Southern Hemisphere suppliers is projected at 230,000 metric tons.
Philadelphia is a primary port for receiving clementines from Chile.
Here is a look at imports involving Mexican limes, Chilean citrus and Gooseberries from Ecuador.
Lime Shipments
By last March Mexico has provided 97 percent of the U.S. total lime shipments, with only light volume reported from Colombia. Lime supplies are finally improving after being in short supply due to weather factors. Pro*Act LLC of Monterey CA imports Mexican limes and sees retail prices dropping as supplies improve.
Chilean Citrus
Nearly 48 tons of Chilean clementines from Valparaiso departed for the West Coast of the U.S. April 2nd kicking off the new season.
The season was launched a week earlier than the season of 2017. Observers expect volume to increase quickly as more orchards begin harvesting, according to a news release from the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association in San Carols, CA.
The Chilean Citrus Committee expects a strong season with increased clementine volume, according to the release.
“We’re expecting consistently high-quality fruit this year. We had very favorable temperatures this autumn, with warm days and cooler nights, and last year’s strong rainfall has also provided plenty of water for irrigation,” Juan Enrique Ortuzar, committee president, said in the release.
Ecuadorian Gooseberries
The USDA has approved fresh Ecuadorian cape gooseberries being imported by U.S. under a new proposal from the ag department.
Comments on the proposal will be accepted until June 18, according to the USDA.
Imports of the fruit — also called ground cherries, goldenberry and physalis — will be allowed from Ecuador under what the USDA calls a systems approach.
U.S. import levels for fresh cape gooseberry fruit are not known, according to the USDA, because the fruit is combined in U.S. trade statistics with black, white, and red currants.
In 2015, the U.S. imported approximately 78.7 metric tons of gooseberries and currants valued at about $476,000.
The U.S. does not produce fresh cape gooseberry fruit commercially, according to the USDA