Export data released by the World Citrus Organisation (WCO) indicate a recovery in outbound volumes following last year’s “slight dip”, says Just Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association (CGA).
According to southern hemisphere estimates the CGA has seen, since 2015 southern hemisphere export volumes have been on an upward trajectory.
That’s with the exception of last year – and it’s not confirmed whether the “slight dip” is because of a wild cat strike in South African ports such as Ngqura, among other issues – but that export trajectory is still curving up.
“The 2020 southern hemisphere estimate shows a resumption in that trajectory, equalling a 12% increase,” Chadwick says.
“In these uncertain times, many will be watching the actual shipments to see how the sector performs. Lemon and easy peeler sectors are showing the most significant increases, which is not surprising given additional area planted to these varieties.”
