mandarin

Techniques Tested on Mandarins in CUPS

Josh McGill CUPS, Mandarins, Tip of the Week

By Rhuanito S. Ferrarezi and Mark A. Ritenour Two independent trials were conducted under a commercial citrus under protective screen (CUPS) system. The first trial was to investigate canopy management strategies to improve fruit yield and quality of mandarins. Canopy management is essential for CUPS since the environment stimulates vigorous vegetative growth, posing operational challenges to mechanization that can be …

Pair of Problems for Louisiana Satsumas

Josh McGill Louisiana, Mandarins, Pests

Plant Diagnostic Center Director Raj Singh at the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center (LSA AgCenter) recently addressed two stresses that impact yields in Louisiana citrus — internal dry rot and puffy fruit. INTERNAL DRY ROTMature fruit affected by internal dry rot may look healthy on the outside, but peeling the fruit reveals dry, discolored flesh. This internal dry rot is …

Morocco Mandarin and Orange Update

Josh McGill International, Mandarins

Morocco’s production and export of mandarins and oranges are detailed in a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) report on Morocco fruit exports. MANDARINSMandarin production in Morocco doubled during the last 10 years, to 1.4 million tons in 2021–22. Production is concentrated in the Souss-Massa, Gharb and Oriental regions. Area harvested expanded nearly 50% but has been …

Process Produces Safe, Fresh-Tasting Satsuma Juice

Josh McGill Mandarins, Orange Juice, Technology

Fresh-tasting satsuma orange juice with a commercially feasible shelf life is the goal of University of Georgia (UGA) Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center (FoodPIC) scientists and food technology company Food Physics. FoodPIC and Food Physics are working together to perfect a technique known as pulsed electric field technology (PEF). PEF uses short bursts of high voltage —15,000 volts per …

California Citrus Mutual Expects Increased Crops

Josh McGill California Corner, Crop Forecast, Mandarins

The California Citrus Mutual (CCM) Marketing Committee —comprised of growers, shippers and marketers — anticipates the state’s 2022–23 navel orange and mandarin crops will be larger than last season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also predicted larger California crops in its initial citrus forecast for the 2022–23 season. The navel orange crop will be approximately 10% over the previous season’s …

European Mandarin Production to Drop

Josh McGill International, Mandarins, Production

European Union (EU) mandarin production in 2021–22 is forecast at 3.16 million metric tons (MMT), a 2.3% decrease from the previous year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recently reported. Spain will be the largest EU producer of mandarins in 2021–22 at 2.1 MMT, down from 2.3 MMT the prior year. Italy’s expected mandarin production of 832,300 …

The Status of Satsuma Mandarins in Georgia

Josh McGill Georgia, Mandarins, Varieties

Satsuma mandarins remain the predominant citrus variety produced in Georgia, but growers diversified more with their plantings this year. Jake Price, University of Georgia Extension coordinator, described the impact that growers could see with various citrus varieties now in place. He presented this information during the recent Citrus Growers’ Summer Update in Valdosta, Georgia. Price says the citrus industry in …

Turkey Mandarins: Greater Production, Less Profits

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International, Mandarins

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently forecast Turkey’s 2021–22 fresh production of tangerines and mandarins at 1.81 million metric tons (MMT). That is 200,000 metric tons (MT) or 14% higher than the prior year. Turkey’s tangerines and other citrus are mainly grown in the country’s Mediterranean region. Increased mandarin production in the Mediterranean region is expected …

South African Mandarin Production Boosted by Netting

Josh McGill Crop Forecast, International, Mandarins

There is a growing trend of South African mandarin growers aggressively establishing new orchards under netting, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS) recently reported. The practice has improved water efficiency, yields and the overall quality of fruit, USDA/FAS says in its semi-annual South Africa citrus report. USDA/FAS says the production of tangerines/mandarins in South Africa is anticipated …

Major Increase in Mandarins Planted in Chile

Josh McGill International, Mandarins

Land planted in mandarins in Chile increased significantly over the past 10 years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) recently reported. In marketing year 2021–22, the area planted totaled 11,194 hectares, a 32.6% increase over 2019–20. A decade ago, planted mandarin area totaled only 3,629 hectares. The mandarin industry includes clementines and tangerines. FAS said the planted …

Bee Sweet Citrus Adding New Mandarin Facility

Josh McGill California Corner, Mandarins

Bee Sweet Citrus is expanding its packinghouse to include a state-of-the-art mandarin facility adjacent to California Highway 99 in Fowler. Construction for the company’s new facility broke ground in early 2022. The facility is expected to be fully operational during the 2022–2023 citrus season. The 213,000-square-foot building will include cold storage; holding and degreening rooms; washing, sorting and packing lines; …

Mandarin Crop Losing Ground in Europe

Josh McGill International, Mandarins, Trade

In 2021–22, European Union (EU) mandarin production is forecast to decline 7.5% from the previous year to 2.9 million metric tons (MMT), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. EU mandarin production may also be almost 5.5% lower than the 10-year average production of 3.1 MMT. The shortage in EU mandarin production is mainly the result of …

Outlook for Global Citrus Production

Josh McGill Global Perspectives, Grapefruit, International, lemons, Limes, Mandarins, Orange Juice

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service recently released global 2021–22 production estimates for citrus categories and orange juice. Here are highlights from the report, titled Citrus: World Markets and Trade. ORANGESGlobal orange production for 2021–22 is estimated up 1.4 million tons from the previous year to 48.8 million tons. Favorable weather is leading to larger crops in Brazil, …

Why She Grows Citrus in Georgia

Josh McGill Georgia, Mandarins

When Lindy Savelle ended her career in federal law enforcement, including stints overseas, she and her husband decided to move back to land they owned in South Georgia. They researched different crops they might grow and settled on citrus. She tells her story in a recent Grower Talks Podcast produced by the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “Citrus is …

Mandarin: ‘The Perfect Piece of Fruit’

Ernie Neff Mandarins

Mandarin citrus is “the perfect piece of fruit,” Suntreat Packing Vice President Scott Owen told a recent Global Citrus Congress audience. “It tastes great. It’s easy to peel. It doesn’t have seeds. It’s a healthy snack, so moms love to give it to kids.” Mandarins are now a $1.8 billion market, compared to $1.2 billion for oranges, Owen said. He …