Statistics South Africa has released data showing local fruit prices rose 7.1% last month, with the National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) reporting 12% growth in citrus exports, website Businessday.co.za reported.

The story reported the South African citrus industry exported 65% of production, bound mainly for markets such as Europe, the Middle East and Russia. The country also exported significant volumes of citrus fruit to Asia, 'indicating a relatively well-diversified export distribution', according to the NAMC report.

NAMC senior economist Sifiso Ntombela told Business Day the rise in exports was due to the availability of new markets and a rise in production.

Statistics SA said food was a major contributor to inflation last month, the story reported.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com