The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) has forecast Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production at 550,000 metric tons (MT) in 2022–23, decreasing 4% from the previous year.
Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production area is estimated at 23,000 hectares. Harvest season runs from March to November.
The major mandarin/tangerine production areas are in the central semi-tropical coastal regions with good availability of water. Production is centered in Lima, Junin and Ica regions. There is also mandarin production in La Libertad, Arequipa, San Martin, Cusco and Puno.
SMALL AND LARGE GROWERS
Peru has more than 3,000 small producers with an average of 3 hectares; practically all their production stays in the domestic market. Their yields can range from 12 MT to 20 MT per hectare.
The country’s mandarin/tangerine production for export is predominantly grown on industrial-scale farms of 50 hectares or more. They use state-of-the-art drip irrigation systems that provide the precise amount of water and nutrients to maximize production. Yields on industrial scale farms are significantly higher than the smaller producers. Overall citrus yields in Peru average 24 MT per hectare.
VARIETIES GROWN
Varieties are selected for high productivity and quality. Varieties in Peru include:
- Satsumas (Citrus unshiu): Clausellina, Okitsu, Owari
- Clementines (Citrus reticulata): Clementines, Clemenules
- Hybrids: Fortuna, Kara, Pixie, Nova
- Tangerines from Citrus reticulata and Citrus paradisi: Murcott, Ortanique, Tango
- Others: Dancy, Malváceo, Nadorcott, Rio de Oro
The market is dominated by seedless varieties.
EXPORT MARKETS
Peruvian mandarin/tangerine exports are projected to decrease by 10% in 2022–23, to 200,000 MT. In 2021–22, Peru exported fresh mandarins/tangerines primarily to the United States (63%), United Kingdom (8%) and Netherlands (8%). Exports have shown consistent growth in recent years, nearly doubling from 112,000 MT in 2015–16.
Exports to the United States have grown considerably in the last six years. Over the last three seasons, exports experienced a considerable increase due to COVID’s positive effect on citrus demand. However, 2023–24 demand is expected to drop and stabilize.
See the USDA FAS full report on Peruvian citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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