CITRUS exports continue to reach above and beyond when it comes to the "double V": volume and value.
Citrus Australia reports that exports posted new records for 2016 with international demand for driving the success.
The national citrus body released figures showing total citrus exports reached almost 220,000 tonnes – an increase of 7.4 per cent on 2015 – with a reported freight on board (FOB) value of $328.5 million, an increase of 17.2pc.
Citrus Australia market manager, David Daniels, said orange exports totalled 166,000t ($223m), while mandarin exports totalled 49,000t ($95m).
Around 3400 tonnes of lemons and 1000 tonnes of grapefruit were also exported.
China is now the top destination, with just under 40,000t ($72m) exported in 2016.
Japan followed close behind at around 38,000t, with a value of $54m.
“Hong Kong also recorded strong volumes, although a substantial decrease on the previous season with around 30,000 tonnes exported this season, down from 45,000 tonnes in 2015,” Mr Daniels said.
“However, trade volumes into Greater China (Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China) appear to be quite static at around 75,000 tonnes per annum.”
Speaking on the upcoming Citrus Industry Strategic Plan at the recent Citrus Technical Forum, Horticulture Innovation Australia general manager research and development service, Davie Moore, said there was a need for careful planning and research when it came to exports.
"It's really important when you're going into new markets to know what demographics to target, what cities to target, because it can bring a lot of good market access work undone," Mr Moore said.
"We need to ensure that this investment roadmap for the citrus industry for the next five years is being deployed and is being successful."
Though the ratio of orange varieties may have shifted, on-ground production shows positive growth as well, if only for the immediate future.
According to Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) agricultural commodities Outlook 2017 report, orange production is forecast to increase in 2016–17 as yields for new trees improve but to slowly contract to around 315,000 tonnes by 2021–22 as the total number of trees fall.
The report showed production of oranges fell by 62,000t between 2012–13 and 2014–15 to 338,000 tonnes, as a result of lower yields.
"The Australian orange industry has for some time been shifting from production of Valencia oranges for juicing to navel oranges for the fresh food market, because imports of orange juice concentrate have lowered the profitability of juicing oranges," the report said.
"This has seen the composition of orange orchards change — with plantings of navel trees replacing valencia trees — and a fall in the total number of trees since 2010–11.
"No new plantings are expected over the medium term."
It also highlighted the increase in mandarin production which grew by an average of 2pc a year between 2008–09 and 2014–15 as new plantings began bearing fruit.
"Production is projected to reach around 130,000 tonnes by 2021–22, compared with 101,000 tonnes in 2014–15," the ABARES report said.
The United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia all recorded volumes around the 12,000t mark.
The United States has continued to decline somewhat to 9000 tonnes from 10,000t last season.
Citrus Australia says Thailand grew by close to 25pc to just under 9000t, mostly mandarins and oranges.
Queensland exporters had the lion’s share of Thailand at around 7500t. South Australia sent around 1000t and only small volumes from other states.
“Canada and the Philippines both provided small surprises, recording volumes just over 6000t," Mr Daniels said.
"Vietnam was just over 3000t, whereas previously the record was 1300t."
In terms of total exports, Victoria leads at 38pc of the total, followed by South Australia at 32pc.
“While Victorian exports increased this season by 10pc, South Australia actually fell by 1pc,” Mr Daniels said.
Queensland exports increased by 12pc, NSW increased by 16pc while WA had the highest improvement (43pc) but coming off a low base.
Exports from Western Australia totalled 2040t, up from 1400t last season.
Ashley Walmsley
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
Ashley Walmsley is the editor of ACM's only national, fresh produce magazine, Good Fruit & Vegetables, while also covering horticulture stories for the agricultural papers and websites. He also writes the weekly, The Ringer, column in the Qld Country Life.
