So far, this year’s citrus exports to Russia – yes that country that is perhaps not the flavour of the month at the moment – is exceeding last year’s figures, the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) has said.
In his latest weekly look at the sector, CGA Chief Executive Justin Chadwick said: “Apart from the humanitarian shock of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, citrus exporters in southern Africa were extremely worried about marketing opportunities in a country that accounted for between 7% and 10% of exports.”
According to Chadwick the early lemon market was almost non-existent.
“However, as the year progressed volumes to Russia picked up.”
In addition, year-to-date exports of lemons and oranges are on a par with the past two years, while mandarins are ahead.
Although grapefruit exports were lagging behind the previous two years, said Chadwick, overall exports for 2022 were higher than yields from 2021.
