Photo: Eurofresh Distribution

South Africa’s 2021 citrus exports are expected to set another record, driven largely by late  mandarins. The Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) estimates 158.7 million cartons will be shipped in 2021, compared to 146 million in 2020  and  130 million in 2019,  meaning a 22% export growth in just  two years.

According to first official estimates for the 2019 Spanish vegetable campaigns, extra-early potato production is up 5.2%, while output of early varieties surged 24.4%. The onion crop contracted 12.9%. As for tomatoes, the “January-May” crop climbed 4.6%, and the "summer" (June-Sept) rose 5.8%, in its first estimates.

The latest estimates published by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for the country’s 2018/19 vegetable crop indicate an increase in output of potato. Production of extra-early potato varieties is expected to increase by 5.2%, in line with a corresponding expansion in production area. The early potato crop is forecast to be up 24.8%, despite little variation in growing area. As for tomatoes, production for the first five months of 2019 is up 1.1%. The aubergine and mushroom crops are respectively 3.4% and 1.4% larger.

The 2018/19 Spanish citrus campaign is estimated to register an increase in crop size for all crops compared with the 2017/19 season, according to data published by Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. The most notable growth is expected to be recorded in satsuma, where the harvest is set to soar by 31.3%). The next largest increase is forecast for lemon (21.5%), followed by clementine (+20.5%), orange (+14.3%), and grapefruit (+2.3%). 

The first estimates for the 2019 Spanish peach and nectarine are in and so far so good. Normal fruit volumes are expected with no loss due to frost damage. The good weather from the beginning of the season has led to good flower set. Production levels are expected to be similar to those of 2018. The total size of the crop for all peach and nectarine varieties is expected to reach 1.58 million tons, up slightly from the 2018 level of 1.49 million tons.

California expects its lowest avocado harvest in a decade due to last year’s intense heat wave across the state. According to California Avocado Committee estimates, this year’s crop will be 79,000 tons - 48% lower than last year's 153,000 tons. The state’s crop fluctuates greatly on an annual basis, with its record harvest being recorded in 2010, when total production volumes reached 242,445 tons. Peru and South Africa also expect declines in their avocado crop this year.

Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture has published its official production estimates for the country’s 2018/19 citrus crop. There has been an increase in volumes from last season for all of the major productions, especially in satsumas, where output is set to rocket by 33.5%. The next biggest climber is lemon, which is forecast to be up 17.6%, followed by clementines (+16.2%), orange (+11.2%) and grapefruit (+6.6%).

Preliminary data for estimations of Spanish fruit and vegetable production in the first five months of 2018 show extra-early potato volumes are up 4.3%, while tomato volumes are down 6.2% compared to 2017. As for other vegetables, increased volumes have been recorded of cucumber (+20.3%), leek (+17.5%) and broccoli (+10.8%). In contrast, lower output has been registered for green peas (-17.3%), green beans (-7.8%), artichoke (-2.8%) and celery (-1.8%).