South African exporters have reported good returns on lemons with growth in the Russian market exporting 20,000 pallets in 2011 making it the second largest importer, the country's Citrus Growers Association reported.

The Middle East at more than 45,000 pallets, Northern Europe at nearly 20,000, the Far East at 10,000 and Southern Europe at 7,000 remained stable, except in the U.K where there was a declining trend of just 10,000 pallets.

Grapefruit exports were up due to a significantly bigger crop, shipments increased to 85,000 pallets to Northern Europe compared with 70,000 three years ago.

The Far East, predominantly Japan, received 10% more grapefruits than in 2010 – just over 70,000 pallets.

Russia was a growth market climbing to over 22,000 pallets.

Volumes to Southern Europe and the UK were stable at about 10, 000 pallets each.

Citrus volumes to the U.K. continue to decrease down to 37,000 pallets compared with 48,000 four years ago.

But the Middle East showed growth at more than 10,000 pallets as did the Far East at 5,000 pallets and Russia was stable at about 10,000 pallets.

Orange exports were weak with only the Far East and Asia receiving more oranges in 2011 than the previous year, 80,000 and 40,000 pallets respectively, with Russian volumes dropping to levels similar to 2008 and 2009 at 100,000.

The U.K. has steadily reduced its orange imports since 2008.

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Photo: Flickr, Craig Murphy

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