The Commercial Office (OCEX) of Peru in Miami stated that, in 2015, the country had been the sixth citrus provider for the United States with an export volume of 35,200 tons, i.e. 15.2% more than in the previous year.
Peruvian mandarin and grapefruit exports to the US last year showed significant surpluses of 14.6% and 150%, respectively.
According to the OCEX of Miami, in 2016 Peruvian citrus exports could increase because of a contraction in domestic production of citrus in the United States expected for the next season. According to forecasts, orange production will decline by 9%, grapefruit productions by 5%, and lime production by 6%.
Demand of Peruvian citrus is also expected to increase in the United States because the USDA recently approved the entry of these products from all regions in Peru (before there used to be restrictions by region), and the protocols for direct import of these fruits from Peruvian territory in southern ports.
Moreover, according to specialized sources, the strong domestic demand in the US would help maintain the citrus high prices in the US market next season.
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The main suppliers of citrus fruits to the US market are Mexico and Chile.
In 2015, citrus exports by the United States generated a turnover of 861.3 million and a volume of 983,130 tons, i.e. 18% more than in the previous year.
