After a difficult period due to weather issues in 2022 and 2023, the Peruvian citrus sector has shown clear signs of recovery in 2024.
"The balance of the 2024 export campaign is positive. As of 7 December (week 49), with only three weeks to go until the end of the year, the country had exported 303,134 tons of citrus, i.e. 20% more than the 252,730 tons it exported in the same period last year. This is due to the increase in mandarin (+19%), Tahiti lime (+32%), sweet orange (+35%), and fresh grapefruit (+47%) exports. There's only been a decrease in two categories: tangelo, which decreased by 14%, and true lemon or eureka lemon, which experienced a 10% decrease," stated Sergio del Castillo Valderrama, general manager of the Association of Citrus Producers of Peru (ProCitrus).
"Revenues also increased, going from $254.9 million by the same date last year to $310.7 million this year. That is a 22% growth in FOB exports of Peruvian citrus," he added.
"Thus, in the 2024 citrus export season, the export volume increased by 20% and revenues grew by 2%. In 2024, Peru achieved two records: surpassing the 300,000 tons export barrier and exceeding $300 million in exports."
"Exports to the US up to week 49 increased by 41%, going from 103,777 tons in 2023 to 146,019 tons in 2024. It should be noted that this market demands mandarin, orange, tangelo, Tahiti lime, and grapefruit. The only two species that are not exported to the US are real lemon and Sutil lime," he said.
The United States remains the main destination market, followed by Europe. The United Kingdom ranks third. "The fourth position, having displaced Canada, is the North American market, which is not the United States or Canada, but Mexico; the destination that grew the most in 2024 among all the destinations we export to," said Sergio del Castillo. The fifth most important destination is Central America, which comprises Panama, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Canada, which, historically, has always ranked fourth, is now the sixth destination market. South America ranked seventh.
Asia has experienced the biggest decline. Much of the volume that was previously sent to Asia has been distributed, basically, in America. Finally, there was a small increase in the volume exported to Russia.
Source: Procitrus