Production across almost all categories of Southern African citrus are expected to rise this year, according to figures released by the Citrus Growers' Association (CGA) of Southern Africa.

The CGA estimates that production from South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zimbabwe will rise by 3.6% year-on-year to 102.9 million 15kg equivalent cartons.

Oranges are expected to account for more than two thirds of the crop this year, with Navel volumes set to rise by 8% to 22.9 million cartons and a 4% rise due for Valencias at 46.1 million cartons.

"Most of this (Navel) increase is due to a return to normal for the Senwes region, and a bigger crop out of the Western Cape," said CGA CEO Justin Chadwick.

Easy peelers

Easy peelers are expected to record the biggest year-on-year rise, jumping 10% to 7.6 million cartons. CGA expects mandarins production will rise 15% to 3.1 million cartons, satsumas will rise 14% to 1.9 million cartons, while the clementine crop will increase slightly by 3% to 2.6 million cartons.

Chadwick says the satsuma estimate is almost "spot on" 2010's packed volume, driven by significant differences in the Eastern Cape regions, with water conditions and "friendly" climatic conditions leading to recovery.

Clementine volumes are also expected to be strong in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape regions, but a decrease is forecast in Boland.

"Most of the increased (mandarin) volume is from the Nelspruit region," he says.

Lemons

The industry forecasts lemon volumes to increase 3% to 11.1 million cartons, with the Senwes region having recovered from hail and back with a normal crop that should be 36% up on last season.

"This year the lemon focus group also looked at dividing the estimate into early (before end week 18), mid (weeks 19 to 34) and late (after week 34)," says Chadwick.

"Earlier lemon volumes will be lower (2011 2 million, 2012 1.8 million), mid lemons almost same as 2011 (8.2 million) and late season much higher than 2012 (2011 0.6 million, 2012 1.1 million)."

Grapefruit

Grapefruit is Southern Africa's third-largest citrus category and is due for a production fall of 6% to 13.4 million 17kg equivalent cartons.

Red grapefruit make up the majority of the crop and are expected to be down 2% to 11.7 million cartons, but this does follow a relatively large crop last year.

"It is anticipated 25% of the crop will be smaller sized, while 32% will be bigger sizing – meaning that the sizing should meet market requirements," says Chadwick.

White grapefruit production is expected to fall by 10% to 1.7 million cartons.

Photo: FPEF

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