The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently forecast Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production in 2022–23 at 550,000 metric tons (MT), slightly lower than the previous year’s 570,000 MT. The decrease can be attributed to removal of low-yield trees, a delayed season, lower harvests of early-season varieties and a warmer than expected fall season.
ACREAGE
Peru’s mandarin/tangerine planted area is estimated at 22,000 hectares.
The major mandarin/tangerine production areas in Peru are in the central, semi-tropical coastal regions with good availability of water. The regions of Lima, Junín and Ica represent 85% of national production of mandarins/tangerines, accounting for 18,600 hectares. There is also some mandarin/tangerine production in Ucayali, Puno, Loreto and La Libertad.
The tangerine production area is estimated at 4,000 hectares. Mandarins and other hybrids account for 18,000 hectares.
TRADE
Peruvian mandarin/tangerine exports are expected to increase by 1% in 2022–23, reaching 222,000 MT. In 2021–22, Peru exported fresh mandarins/tangerines primarily to the United States (63%), the United Kingdom (8%) and the Netherlands (8%). 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 the pandemic’s positive effect on citrus demand. However, demand is expected to stabilize this year.
Seven years ago, Peru exported 112,000 MT and has shown consistent growth, nearly doubling exports since then.
The market for exports is dominated by easy peelers and seedless varieties including Murcott, Tango, Primosole, Clementine and Orri. Satsumas, Primosoles and Clementines are considered early-season varieties. Murcott, Tango and Orri are harvested later in the season.
Peru’s mandarin/tangerine production for export is predominantly done 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.
See the full USDA FAS report on Peruvian citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS
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