Last year was the first official export of Chilean citrus to China, gaining a 4% market share in the southern hemisphere supplier. With the arrival of late Chilean oranges in the Chinese market recently, the export of Chilean oranges this season is gradually coming to an end.
"We hope to gradually increase this share in the next few seasons," said Juan Enrique OrtĂşzar, chairman of the Chilean Citrus Committee under ASOEX (Chilean Fruit Exporters Association). "The main citrus item exported this year is lemons, and the response from Chinese importers has been very good."
Chile's lemon exports to China take advantage of the supply of products from different producing areas, and the quality of the fruits is high. In addition, the Chilean citrus industry is also actively seeking to increase the consumer demand of Chinese consumers for this item of lemon.
Ortúzar emphasized that since the outbreak of the global epidemic, the Chilean fruit industry has been actively paying attention to extensive new crown virus prevention training for all personnel in the production and export supply chain. Chile has successfully vaccinated more than 80% of the country’s population. It is one of the countries with the highest coverage rate in the world. The number of new cases has hit a record low.
Chile has just experienced the driest July in history, which has had a long-term impact on the country's crop industry. However, the impact on soft citrus production this year is not too great. According to the latest season forecast of the Chilean Citrus Commission, the output of late-ripening citrus has been adjusted to 128,000 tons, and the output of oranges has been adjusted to 94,000 tons. Compared with the previous forecast, the former has decreased by 12% and the latter has increased by 8%. The export volume of lemons is consistent with the first forecast (98,000 tons); the export of clementine oranges has ended, reaching 69,500 tons, an increase of 33% over last year.
For export, the fruits of this season are in good condition, with the sweetness, flavor and juice content reaching the best level.