W46 Orange: Orange Prices Dropped in Uzbekistan, Mazandaran Aims for 3 Million Tons in Orange Production for 2023 and Egyptian Citrus Dominates European Markets

Orange Prices in Uzbekistan Dropped by 30% In a Week, Indicating Significant Shifts

In W46 in the orange landscape, orange wholesale prices in Uzbekistan experienced a 30% decline over the past week, marking the largest weekly change in 2023. From November 10 to November 17, 2023, the average orange wholesale price dropped from USD 1.87 per kilogram (kg) to USD 1.30/kg, a 20% year-on-year (YoY) decrease.

Mazandaran Province Begins Orange Season with a Production Goal of 3 Million Tons in 2023

The orange harvest in Mazandaran province of Iran has started, with the export of citrus fruits reaching more than 20 thousand tons in 2023. The most significant exports are related to the cities of Sari, Miandorud, and Joibar. The director of horticulture affairs of the Mazandaran Agricultural Jihad Organization highlighted the potential benefits of marine exports and increased production costs. The citrus fruit production in the Mazandaran region for the 2023/24 season is predicted to be around 3 million tons. In Nov-22, certification for orange orchards was announced, and currently, there are 19 thousand hectares (ha) of certified citrus orchards and 2 thousand ha of kiwi orchards in the region. The certification of these orchards is expected to contribute to a prosperous future for the export of Mazandaran products, enhancing the quality and credibility of the produce for international markets.

Egyptian Citrus Dominance in European Markets Surpassing South Africa and Spain in Exports

Egypt's orange exports ranked first in European markets last season, surpassing Spain and South Africa. By the end of the 2022/23 season, Egypt exported 458 thousand tons of oranges, an 83% YoY growth. The Egyptian orange crop accounted for 45% of the European Union's (EU) total orange imports, which recorded about 1 million tons during the year. Egyptian orange exports to European markets grew by 279% during the last ten seasons, as they did not exceed 121 thousand tons in the 2013/14 export season. This growth is due to exporters adhering to European legislation regarding specifications and quality through a coding system.

Italy Addresses Quality Issues Caused by Contaminated South African Citrus Fruits

The Sicilian Blood Orange Consortium has called for the immediate suspension of imports of all citrus fruits from South Africa and the application of measures adopted by third countries to export olives affected by the plant pathogen Xylella. The Consortium has identified 51 batches of South African citrus fruit affected by citrus black spot, with 12 cases of oranges. The President of the Sicilian Blood Orange Consortium emphasized the need for maximum rigor towards South African citrus fruits and the application of cold treatment to citrus fruits from non-EU countries.