The 2022 Chilean citrus fruit season marked the lowest export figure in recent years, after registering a 32% contraction over the previous season. In total, the country shipped 268,100 tons of citrus, 33% of which corresponded to mandarins; 30% to oranges; 21% to lemons, and 16% to clementines.
Chilean mandarin exports totaled 89,130 tons (-27% less than in the 2021 season). 94% of them were sent to the US.
The country exported 80,623 tons of oranges, i.e. 43% less than in the previous year. The US was the main destination market as it received 92% of all shipments.
Meanwhile, lemon shipments fell to 56,260 tons (-21%). 55% of the lemons were exported to the US, 38% of the shipments were destined for the Far East, 6% for Europe, and the remaining went to Latin America and Canada.
Clementine exports amounted to 42,090 tons (-39%) and 99% of all shipments were sent to the US.
Season analysis
According to the president of the ASOEX Citrus Committee, Juan Enrique Ortuzar, the 2022 Chilean citrus fruit season was complicated. While it's true that there were fewer logistical problems than in summer, he said, the increase in sea freight costs and logistics at the destination was still not normal; however, these factors should balance out in more favorable conditions.
“The problem today is that, after COVID, inflation is hitting developed countries, which set the tone of the world market for counter-seasonal products.” One of the issues brought by inflation is the contraction of consumption, he stated.
As a result, the chairman of the Citrus Committee said, in 2023 we must focus on being productive. “We must learn and improve quickly, review what we do, share experience between producers, collaborate to generate greater scale at all levels, collaborate and be very competitive, because the supply does not stop growing, both in Chile and in competing countries such as Peru and South Africa. We have to collaborate to continue enhancing - as a whole - Chile's citrus brand. We must be known for having the best quality and conditions to become the customers' preferred origin," Ortuzar stated.
Source: simfruit.cl