The Australian citrus industry is expecting increased shipments to the U.S. this season thanks to a bumper growing season and favorable currency exchange rate. 

The strong Australian dollar over recent years meant volumes were reduced somewhat.

"In reality, we never went away," Citrus Australia market development manager Andrew Harty said.

"Australia was the first southern hemisphere country to pioneer the US summer citrus trade back in the 1990s, and has always maintained its reputation as a source of sweet, high quality oranges."

He said the industry had diverted fruit elsewhere over the past five years for various reasons, but now the 'planets had realigned for a serious Aussie return to this market.'

"We had a tough time over the past few years with the currency exchange, with our dollar being one of the strongest in the world, but that has all changed now, and we can pitch our oranges at far more reasonable prices in the US and still make the numbers work our end," Harty said.

Harty added that favorable weather this season had led to an excellent crop.

"We had very little wind in the spring, so the fruit is looking exceptionally clean this year," he said.

"We have not had extremes of weather or water shortages, so the fruit has grown well, and most importantly, the sugar levels are excellent. I guess we could call this a vintage season."

Citrus Australia’s 2015 crop forecast for navels is predicting a balanced crop of average volume, with what it says is a size profile ideal for the U.S. market. With less wind blemish on fruit, pack-outs of Class 1 fruit will be higher this season, resulting in larger volumes available for premium export markets.

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