The Asoex Citrus Committee updated the export estimates of its associates, who account for nearly 75% of Chile's citrus exporters after a frost at the end of May affected some citrus orchards.
According to the new estimate, the associates will export 290,300 tons of citrus, i.e. 13 percent less than the 335,000 initially projected. Orange exports are now estimated at 82,500 tons (-8%); lemon exports at 78,000 tons (-8%), and clementine exports at 34,800 tons (-13%). Finally, mandarins will suffer the greatest variation, equivalent to -21%, with exports projected at 95,000 tons.
Implementation of the work plan designed to face frost
The Citrus Committee called on exporters to implement the work plan established to deal with these situations, which is developed in the Frost Action Manual, with the aim that producers and exporters act together according to the work plan designed to prevent low temperatures from affecting fruit exports.
The plan includes, among other actions, the installation of thermographs in the orchards and the temporary suspension of harvests in the affected orchards until all the fruit is inspected and authorities confirm that it complies with the established export parameters.
"The Chilean industry is prepared and has the technology and technical capacity to separate the fruit that presents damage both in the field and in the packing facilities, thus avoiding its packaging and export. These measures have already been implemented in previous seasons with very good results," Asoex stated.