Favourable weather and better yields have made for sunny outlooks on the 2013-2014 Chinese citrus season. With more anticipated volume, prices could be lower than in the previous season.
Orange production for the 2013-2014 season in China could reach 7.6 MMT, according to a report from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service. That's nine percent more than last season's production, and higher yields, enhanced orchard management and a lack of problems from the weather are credited for the boost. But with more production, prices are expected to fall. The report noted that farm gate prices in Jiangxi were $0.36 per kilo, which is 20 percent less than prices last year.
Tangerine production is forecast to reach 17.8 MMT, which is up five percent from the previous season. Grapefruit and pomelo production is forecast at 3.8 MMT, up 12 percent from last year. Pomelo prices, because of large domestic volumes of fruit, are down from last year. In Fujian, pomelos are going for $0.49 per kilo, which is down 25 percent from last year.
