Chile Forecast an Increase of Mandarin, Orange, and Lemon Production in the 2022/23 Season

Fresh Lemon

Tomas Nunez

Published Mar 3, 2023

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported citrus categories are forecasted to experience a decline in global production in the 2022/23 season due to adverse weather events and rising agricultural input costs. However, Chilean mandarin production is forecasted to increase from 67K tonnes to 237K tonnes due to favorable weather conditions and a harvest area expansion, anticipating a boost in consumption and exports with the United States as the primary export market. In contrast, the production of Peruvian mandarins is forecasted to decrease by 20K tonnes to 550K tonnes due to increased labor costs, high fertilizer costs, and irregular weather conditions. While consumption is expected to remain stable, exports are forecast to decline due to higher transportation costs, container shortages, and rising tariffs.
The orange production of Chile is forecasted to increase with a rise of 36K tonnes to 200K tonnes due to an expansion in area and favorable weather conditions. An increase in consumption and exports are forecasted, with the United States continuing to be the primary export market, accounting for over 90% of the market share. Finally, lemon production in Chile is expected to increase by 60K tonnes to 200K tonnes due to an expansion in area and favorable weather conditions, anticipated to lead to a rise in available supply and a two-thirds increase in exports, with the United States remaining the primary export market.