The Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) has announced citrus production this year will likely fall 4.5% to 94.5 million 15 kilogram (33 lbs) cartons.

CEO Stuart Symington says total soft citrus exports would rise 5% this year to 7.9 million cartons, but navels are expected to fall 15% to 19.4 million cartons.

The region is expected to increase grapefruit volumes by 16% to 14.5 million cartons this year, with lemon volumes forecast to be fairly close to last year's figures of 9.8 million cartons.

He says Valencia orange exports would likely fall 8% to 42.9 million cartons in 2011.

"To put this into perspective, South African orange volumes will drop by 106 000 (metric) tons – the average annual orange exports over the past 7 years from Uruguay was 77000 (metric) tons, from Australia 114000 (metric) tons, Chile 27000 (metric) tons & Argentina 143000 (metric) tons," he says.

CGA growers are based in 18 regions in Africa, covering South Africa, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com