Peruvian mandarin production is set to shoot up by 8.5% this year and will likely continue to grow thanks to good prices, according to consultancy group Maximixe. 

The organization's Business and Market Intelligence Center said the total production would increase to 340,300 metric tons (MT), with much of the growth coming from the Lima and Ica regions.

The provinces of Cañete and Huaral in Lima have recently gained more farmland acreage and in the first half of the season saw 17% and 1% volume increases respectively, while Ica will benefit from better pest control by the National Agricultural Health Service (Senasa).

Production will reportedly continue to grow in the future thanks to the mandarin's high profitability compared to other fruits.

Peach crop farmland in Huaral is being converted to grow the citrus crop to make the most of the favorable prices.

Exports of all mandarin varieties will also increase by 21.6% this year, reaching US$107 million in revenue. The rise is said to be driven by growing demand in the U.S., the Netherlands and the U.K. for the good quality Peruvian fruit quality.

Tangelos and satsumas shipments are also expected to grow and W.Murcott varieties will likely see some increased appetite too, especially in Hong Kong.

Average export prices are set to increase by 0.6% as a result of the growing demand.

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