Big bump in Chilean mandarin shipments expected for North America
Headlined by another double digit increase in mandarins destined for North America, the April through October Chilean citrus export season has begun.
Chile’s first 2017 shipment of clementines to the U.S. departed from the port of Valparaiso the week of April 10, a week earlier than the previous season, according to a news release. Shipments of Chilean citrus to North America will conclude in October.
Total Chilean citrus exports are expected to increase only 3% to 256,000 metric tons in 2017, according to the Chilean Citrus Committee. However, mandarin citrus shipments to North America - peaking in August and September - are pegged to grow 26% to 67,000 metric tons in 2017, according to the committee. This year’s increase comes a year after a similar 22% increase in shipments to North America last year.
“This growth is phenomenal, and in direct response to strong demand from our customers in North America,” Juan Enrique Ortuzar, chairman of the Chilean Citrus Committee, said in a news release. “We believe there are still more growth opportunities, and the Chilean Citrus Committee remains committed to supporting market development.”
First arrivals
More than 12,200 boxes of clementines were on the first vessel to the U.S. in mid-April, with 89% targeted for the East Coast, according to the release.
Total Chilean clementine volume is expected at 42,000 metric tons this year, down slightly from 2016. The season for Chilean clementines runs from April through July, and nearly all fruit is shipped to North America, according to the release.
While clementine volume will wind down in July, the release said that is the time mandarin volume will begin to heat up, with peak volume in the months of August and
September.
Chilean navel oranges are available from June through October, and Chilean lemons will enter North America from May through October.
The Chilean Citrus Committee expects citrus fruit flavor, quality and sizing will be strong this year, according to the release.
Marketing plans
For 2017, the Chilean Citrus Committee will work with a Toronto-based merchandiser to grow the eastern Canadian market, according to the release.
The U.S. market will remain the main focus of promotion activity, and programs to promote lemons, easy peelers and navels are available to U.S. retailers, according to the release.
The Chilean Citrus Committee will fully detail its marketing programs during the May 9-11 Canadian Produce Marketing Association convention in Toronto and the May 19-21 West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Springs, Calif., according to the release.
“Chile is the largest exporter of navels and easy peelers to North America and we offer a consistently great tasting piece of fruit to retailers and their customers,” Karen Brux, managing director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, said in the release. “We’re thrilled that the Chilean citrus industry is continuing to strengthen its marketing investment so we can get our citrus, whether lemons, easy peelers or navels, into more shopping carts.”
The Chilean Citrus Committee will employ a marketing campaign that social media efforts, online marketing and engaging with retail dietitians, Brux said in the release.
