The Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (SHAFFE) has forecast total citrus export volumes during 2017 to be 6% higher year-on-year, and predicts South Africa will ship more lemons than Argentina. 

The association's data, circulated by the Citrus Growers Association (CGA) of Southern Africa, also showed anticipated exports would be 11% higher than the last five-year average.

Looking at the specific categories, Southern Hemisphere orange volumes are forecast to rise 7.5% to 1.5 million metric tons (MT), although this may reduce due to recent unexpected Navel fruit drop in South Africa.

Lemon exports of nearly 620,000MT are 2% up on 2016, while mandarins at 546,000MT are 4% higher. Grapefruit, which is almost entirely supplied by South Africa, is expected to increase 14% to 240,000MT.

In terms of the different countries, Peruvian citrus exports are forecast to grow 7% to 120,000MT, with the bulk of the increase represented by mandarins.

Uruguay, meanwhile, expects a 4% rise to 111,100MT, largely due to rising orange volumes.

Argentina is predicting a 14% drop in exports across the board to 338,000MT. Lemons are expected to fall by 7% to 260,000, while oranges and mandarins are each expected to drop by a third to 45,000MT and 33,000MT respectively.

Australia is forecast to have a similar crop to last year with 219,500MT, although as the crop is late the figures are still provisional.

Chilean exports are set to increase 3.5% to 257,600MT, led by a 13% increase in mandarin exports to 109,000MT. Lemon exports are due to fall 5% to 72,000MT, while orange shipments remain unchanged at around 75,000MT.

South Africa, which accounts for 63% of Southern Hemisphere citrus production, is forecast to export 1.8 million MT. The mysterious fruit drop has reduced the country's orange export estimate from 12% to 8.5%, and lemon volumes are expected to increase 16% to 263,000MT.

Mandarin exports are also expected to increase 8.5% to around 200,000MT.

In March the CGA forecast increases across the board, with the most significant increases for Valencias, lemons and grapefruit. 

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