For Southern Hemisphere producing nations, Peru was given the brightest export forecast for the 2013 citrus season in terms of percentage growth, based on data compiled by Freshfel and Shaffe. At 10% growth over 2012, Peru beats out the overall predicted growth for the hemisphere of 2.82%.

The Andean nation is expected to produce a total of 1,015,707 MT with a total of 92,004 MT for export, up from 923,370 MT and 83,640 MT respectively in 2012.

Total citrus production for the Southern Hemisphere was forecast to grow to 7,146,123 MT, up from 6,505,443 MT. Exports were forecast at 2,587,935 MT compared to 2,517,071 MT in 2012.

Argentina

Argentina is expected to rise 6.31% in exports, reaching 433,000 MT. Lemons, limes and grapefruit are expected to increase export totals, while mandarins and tangelos should drop almost 18%. Oranges should stay on par with 2012.

No remarkable changes were reported for the Argentine industry. Processing trends were stable and official policy remained unchanged.

General macroeconomic trends hurt the nation's competitiveness and kept exports down.

Australia

Australian production is forecast to rise 10.68% to 570,000 MT. Exports were expected to rise as well by 2.16% to 176,500 MT.

A number of factors contributed to a reportedly good crop, including favorable weather and water supply, as well as recovery from flood damage.

Many navel plantations were reaching full production, while mandarin output rose .

The U.S. showed promise for new marketing opportunities. In Asia, Indonesia and Thailand become increasingly difficult to work with. Better ties with Korea and China were given priority.

Chile

Chile is expected to see a drop in both production and export volume, dropping 3.62% and 1.75% respectively.

Water scarcity and drought in the north were given as impeding factors, especially for clementines. Lack of rain discouraged new plantings for navels, clementines and mandarins.

Navels, however, were expected to increase in production as orchards reach full capacity.

Lemon marketing would be focused more on local sales.

South Africa

South Africa should expect growth for all citrus fruits, expect for mandarins, expected to drop in production by about 10%. Overall exports for mandarins and tangelos, however, were forecast to grow by almost 8%.

Overall, South African exports were expected to grow about 4%, up from 1,540,896 MT to 1,602,304 MT. The value was the greatest for all Southern Hemisphere nations.

Grapefruits should experience the greatest percentage growth for exports at 15%. The commodity is in an alternate "on" year.

A weaker rand has created a more favorable exchange rate this year. Increased input costs for shipping, transport, energy and labor, however, will make processing and the local market more attractive.

Uruguay

Uruguay expected a 15-20% drop in total production compared to 2012, although official estimates had not been released. Total exports should drop 17.5%, down to 119,775 MT.

Frost reportedly affected volumes, although fruit size has been bigger.

Brazil is expected to become an attractive market for Uruguay in the future, as the nation moves away from traditional buyers in Russia and Europe. The details of trade with U.S. were being worked out.

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