Australian Sumo citrus headed for Japan, U.S.
July 15 , 2011
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Volumes will be small but Australian growers are expected to start shipping sumo citrus to Japan and the U.S this week. 
Eight Australian growers from the Riverina region expect to harvest 500 metric tons (MT) of the fruit this year, media agency the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.
The Sumo citrus variety was developed by a Japanese breeder in the 1970's, as a cross between satsuma mandarins and Californian oranges.
Growers told the ABC they hoped to raise production to 3,000MT soon and release the variety to other growers.
"The larger fruit we're putting 20 in a tray and we're hoping to sell them for AUD$20 (US$21.50) each, which I think is very achievable especially overseas," grower Frank Mercuri was quoted as saying.
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