The Soft Citrus Focus Group (SCFG) - established by the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa, have increased their satsuma and clementine 2016 export projection by 200 000 cartons.
“The reason for the projection increase is a more energetic market that was anticipated,” said CGA information manager, John Edmonds.
The original projection for satsumas was 1.8 million cartons and, with the season essentially over, the latest number of cartons exported is 1.9 million. The original projection for clementines was 2.7 million cartons and so far 3.1 million cartons have been exported.
Southern hemisphere soft citrus shipments to date have increased to: the Far East; European Union (EU); and; North America but have decreased to: Russia; and the United Kingdom.
Shipments to the Middle East have remained steadily the same, according to GCA CEO Justin Chadwick.
“The growth to Far East and EU is driven by increases from South Africa; while US increased volume is due to increased shipments from Chile,” said Chadwick.
Chadwick added that the decrease to UK is largely due to reduced South African shipments but Edmonds says that this picture could change as the late mandarin season progresses.
