Australia Is Key Market for U.S. Fresh Fruit

Tacy Callies Export/Import, International, Trade

Australia is a crucial market for U.S. citrus and other fresh fruits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS). A recent report from the agency says the United States has benefited from a well-established reputation for producing safe, quality fruit. The report suggests ways U.S. fruit exporters can access the Australian market.   Demand for …

Imports From Japan Would Pose Pest Risk

Josh McGill Export/Import, International, Regulation

A federal pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh citrus from Japan has identified the Japanese orange fly (Bactrocera tsuneonis) as posing a high risk of introduction into the United States. The 120-page assessment was prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS). The agency assessed the risk of scores of insects, …

U.S. Citrus Demand Exceeds Supply

Josh McGill Export/Import, Production

While the U.S. domestic supply of citrus has declined tremendously, imports have increased substantially. That, says American Farm Bureau Federation economist Daniel Munch, is a telltale sign that consumer demand for citrus in the United States is now greater than domestic production capacity. “In other words, we’ve become partially reliant on other nations for citrus products,” Munch writes in U.S. …

Significant Decline in Turkey Orange Production

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, Export/Import, International

Orange production in Turkey is forecast at 1.4 million metric tons (MMT) in 2022–23, a decline of 20% from the prior year production of 1.75 MMT. The forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) blames the decline on freezing weather during the beginning of the orange blossoming period in March 2022. The yield loss is …

Tahiti Limes From Brazil to Be Imported Into United States

Josh McGill Brazil, Export/Import, Limes

The federal government has drafted a pest risk assessment for the importation of fresh Tahiti limes (Citrus latifolia) for consumption from Brazil into the continental United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) assessment describes potential pests associated with the commodity. APHIS shares draft pest …

Argentina’s Lemon Crop to Increase

Josh McGill Export/Import, International, lemons

In its semi-annual citrus report for Argentina, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) increased its 2021–22 estimate for Argentina’s lemon crop production by 15%, to 1.9 million metric tons (MMT). Lemons are grown principally in the northwest provinces of Tucuman, Salta and Jujuy, with some minor production in northeast Argentina. Over the past few years, both existing …

Italy Seeks Finger Lime Entry into United States

Josh McGill Export/Import, International, Limes

The government of Italy has asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to authorize the importation of fresh finger lime (Citrus australasica) for consumption into the United States. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has drafted a pest risk assessment that describes potential pests associated with the commodity. APHIS shares draft pest risk assessments to determine whether stakeholders …

Australia Aims to Expand Citrus Exports to India

Josh McGill Export/Import, International

Citrus Australia will use a $485,711 grant from the federal government to increase citrus export opportunities to India for Australian growers, through targeted development of the Indian market. The Australian citrus industry currently exports up to $540 million worth of citrus around the world. India and the subcontinent have been recognized as potential growth markets. India has a population of …

Lemon Production in Turkey to Skyrocket

Ernie Neff Export/Import, International

Lemon production in Turkey is expected to increase 27% to 1.4 million metric tons (MT) in 2021-22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service reported recently. Last season, lemon production reached 1.1 million MT. Producers are increasing orchard areas due to lemon’s profitability compared to other citrus fruits. The main problems reported by lemon producers in Turkey are diseases …

Orange Juice in Europe: Production, Consumption and Trade

Josh McGill Export/Import, International, Orange Juice

European Union (EU) orange juice (OJ) production is forecast at 70,390 metric tons (MT) in 2021–22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service reported. That’s a drop of almost 10% compared to the previous period due to the expected decline in EU orange supply. Spain is the major orange processor in the EU, followed by Italy. Approximately 20% of …

Focus on Australian Citrus Safety

Josh McGill Citrus, Export/Import, Food Safety, International

Citrus Australia reported on a new project focused on food safety in citrus. The project aims to mitigate microbial food-safety risks associated with the production, postharvest handling and supply of citrus to consumers in domestic and export markets. S.P. Singh with the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries will lead the project. The Australian citrus industry exports oranges and …

Israel Citrus Exports Expected to Climb

Ernie Neff Export/Import

Exports of citrus from Israel in 2021-22 are forecast to reach 158,000 metric tons, up 16% from 2020-21, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) reported. However, FAS cautioned that exports could be lower “if higher-than-normal freight costs and limited shipping options continue.” Israel is seeking new export markets that will be able to absorb its produce with …

Texas Growers Stand to Lose $70.5 Million Due to Mexican Grapefruit Imports

Tacy Callies Export/Import, Grapefruit

A new report written by Luis A. Ribera, Landyn Young and Dan Hanselka of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service outlines the damage imported grapefruit is having on the U.S. grapefruit industry. The report is titled “Economic Impacts of the Suspension of Juice Content Requirement on Imported Grapefruits from Mexico.” “The U.S. Standards for Grades of Florida Grapefruit and Marketing …

citrus forecast

Florida Citrus Packers: Fix Grapefruit Import Action Now

Ernie Neff Export/Import, Grapefruit

Florida Citrus Packers recently called for a fix to a so-called “patch” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that allegedly creates unfair advantages for Mexico and other countries over domestic grapefruit producers. Citrus Industry previously reported that the agriculture commissioners for Florida and Texas wrote letters protesting the USDA action.   Florida Citrus Packers Executive Vice President Peter Chaires …

Grapefruit Import Action Protested

Ernie Neff Export/Import, Grapefruit

The state agriculture commissioners for Florida and Texas recently urged U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to reinstate juice content requirements on grapefruit imports. They stated that a so-called “patch” issued earlier this year by the U.S. Department of Agriculture creates unfair advantages for Mexico and other countries over domestic grapefruit producers. “There appears to have been a ‘patch’ quietly …

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Changes Proposed for Citrus From Australia

Ernie Neff Export/Import

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently proposed to expand the production areas in Australia from which fresh fruit may be sent to the United States. It also proposed to revise the conditions under which citrus from Australia may be sent to the United States. Currently, APHIS allows the entry of fresh citrus fruit …

Florida Citrus Packers: South Africa Imports Pose Risk

Ernie Neff Export/Import

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) announced it is authorizing the importation of cold-treated fresh citrus from South Africa into all U.S. ports of entry. Previously, APHIS restricted the entry of cold-treated citrus fruit from South Africa to four U.S. ports that have cold-treatment facilities. APHIS scientists determined that citrus fruit from South Africa, …

South African Citrus Exports to Set Record

Ernie Neff Export/Import

South African citrus exports, both globally and to the United States, are expected to reach record levels in 2020, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS). The expected record is based on the pace of exports up to August 2020, increased production, a spike in demand for health reasons and limited logistics disruptions …

grapefruit

Opposition to South African Citrus Imports Into Georgia

Ernie Neff Export/Import, Georgia

Two associations representing Georgia citrus growers expressed strong concerns about a federal proposal to remove restrictions on the ports of entry into which South African citrus may enter the United States. Removal of port restrictions would allow the importation of the citrus into all U.S. ports, including Savannah, Georgia. The restriction removal was proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s …

Cocaine Found in Orange Shipment

Ernie Neff Export/Import

Three Florida men were charged in a conspiracy to import and distribute cocaine after the contraband was found in a fresh orange shipment. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia on June 3 reported the charges and the actions leading to them. Juan De Jesus Gutierrez, 45, Jonathan Mejia, 41, and Ricardo Sanchez Ortiz, 46, all of Kissimmee, Florida, were charged …