South Africa's Grapefruit Focus Group has further decreased the predicted volumes for 2014. 2/3rds of the grapefruit is packed, with half shipped to Northern Europe and Japan. After big volumes being shipped to Russia in week 17 exporters have heeded the call to cut back as the market is well supplied according to the Citrus Grower's Association.
The lemon markets remain strong with most being sent to Middle East and Russia. Lemon shipments to the Far East in the early part of the season surpassed 2013 levels increasing by 10% over 2013 volumes.
Navel exports are starting to increase – as with lemons there has been an initial interest in the Far East up 14% on last year, this has been at the expense of Russia which has received 16% less. The dominant navel markets have been Middle East and N Europe. As usual soft citrus has been enjoyed mostly by the UK2014 44%), N Europe and Russia.
