Uruguay's significantly increasing mandarin production is largely responsible for the South American country expecting a 6.4% boost in citrus volumes this season. 

The Office of Agricultural Statistics (DIEA) said while total planted citrus hectarage had remained similar to last year, production for the 2015 season was set to hit 305,700 metric tons (MT).

DIEA said total volumes of oranges, mandarins, lemons and grapefruit would likely hit 305,700 metric tons (MT).

So far it is estimated about a quarter of the total orange, mandarin, lemon and grapefruit crop has been harvested.

Breaking down production into the different categories, DIEA said orange production would drop 6.5% to 140,800MT this year, but mandarins were set for a whopping 25% jump to 131,000MT.

Lemon and grapefruit production are anticipated to reach 32,000MT and 1,400MT respectively.

The organization said there had been no major changes in the citrus orchard surface area, which it put at 20,300 hectares. The number of citrus trees stands at 7.2 million, of which 87% are in production.

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