While Peru saw a slight drop in 2015 mandarin production, exports were still able to increase by a modest 2%. ProCitrus President Sergio del Castillo attributed the increase to a switch off between volume and quality.

“Because there wasn’t as much weight on the trees, there was less fruit to discard during packing,” del Castillo told www.freshfruitportal.com.

He predicted greater production for 2016, both for early varieties like Satsumas and for late varieties like Tangelo, Tango and Murcott.

“We believe we’re going to have an increase in exports, especially for the late varieties, since that is what has been planted the most in recent years,” he said.

For late varieties like W. Murcott and Nadorcott, del Castillo expected a 13-14% increase in production. Tangelos, which have reached about 25,000 metric tons (MT) in annual production, were not expected to grow as strongly, due to fewer new plantations in recent years.

Early season varieties were forecast to grow 8-10% in volume.

Consumer trends in the U.S. and Europe have made W. Murcott Peru’s star variety.

“Ten years ago, Peru didn’t export any W. Murcott. Today we must be close to 25,000 metric tons, which represents about half of late-season exports,” del Castillo said, also noting success on Latin American markets with the fruit.

“This variety is having a lot of success in Chile because it arrives at a time when there is not much citrus. North America is recently arriving to Chile at this time (September-October) and the fruit is very green and acidic.”

El Niño-related weather was expected to disrupts Peru’s season, which del Castillo said did not end up happening.

“Last year in spring we had really good flowering, then good fruit set, so the season has been developing normally,” he said.

“We’ve only detected some lots, which due to temperature, have been delayed in developing color, but that won’t at all affect our ability to comply with the programs we are committed to.”

Regarding pests, del Castillo said cycles have become accelerated, especially for mites and red spiders. This development has meant more monitoring and phytosanitary control measures from producers.

This April 19-20, ProCitrus will hold its International Citrus Seminar in Lima, Peru to discuss industry trends.

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