Severe summer heatwaves and end-of-year cold spells in MY 2012-13 contributed to a sharp decline in Morocco's citrus production and took a toll on exports, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported.

Overall fresh citrus production dropped 20% to 1.494 million metric tons (MT).

From October 2012 to mid-April, the north African nation exported 356,776 MT of fresh citrus, an 18% decline compared to the same period the previous year. Orange exports decline 55% to 47,731 MT.

In terms of volume, orange variety Maroc-late was the hardest hit with significantly lower fruit size and quality. Volume for the variety fell 25% to 354,000 MT.

Small citrus varieties Nova and Nadorcott were the only categories to see gains, growing an estimated 11% and 53%, respectively.

Lemons, limes and grapefruit dropped 69% to 47,500 MT. The varieties were not broken down individually in the USDA analysis.

In contrast to poor production volume, rainfall improved during MY 2012-13. From September 2012 to mid-April, rainfall increased 28% at a recorded 434 mm.

Thanks to the increased precipitation, agricultural water dam reserves increased to 12.48 billion cubic meters from 9.49 billion cubic meters at the same time the previous year.

The dam filling rate also rose from 70% to 92%. Better availability of irrigation resources is expected to favor the next citrus season.

Russia remained in the top spot for Moroccan citrus arrivals, follow by the E.U. Small citrus and orange exports to Russia did decline, however, by 5% and 47%, respectively.

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