Currently, mandarins are providing a much-needed source of income for South Australian citrus growers. With flooding affecting many areas on the east coast, mandarins from the Riverland region have been filling supermarket shelves across Australia. According to Venus Citrus managing director Helen Aggeletos, demand had been outstripping supply: "Mandarin volumes in general have been lower this year, both from Queensland and in the southern states as well, except for the Afourer variety. Basically we're packing as much as we can.”
The high demand for the fruit was fortuitous as it came after 14 outbreaks of fruit fly infestation in the Riverland and disruptions to the shipping industry. Ms Aggeletos said mandarins had also escaped albedo breakdown which unusually cold conditions had caused in oranges, making the skin softer and able to rot more easily.
Source: abc.net.au