FAS Lima forecasts Peruvian mandarin/tangerine production at 550,000 metric tons (MT), with exports expected to reach 200,000 MT for marketing year 2022/23 (March 2023 to February 2024), according to a report released by the USDA.
These represent slight decreases from the previous year.
Lower profitability driven by labor cost increases, fertilizer scarcity, erratic weather, increased transportation costs, and container shortages will negatively impact production and exports.
Citrus exports to the United States are expected to fall slightly to 121,000 MT. The U.S. will likely remain Peru’s top partner.
The following table provides revised data for total Peruvian fresh mandarin/tangerine production, supply, and distribution (PS&D) for Peruvian (PE) marketing years (MY, March-February) 2021/22 and 2022/23, and the initial forecast for MY 2023/24. The MY mentioned above are equivalent to U.S. MY 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23, respectively.
FAS Lima expects Peruvian mandarin/tangerine exports to decrease by 10 percent in MY 2022/23, reaching 200,000 MT. In MY 2021/22, Peru exported fresh mandarins/tangerines primarily to the United States (63%), United Kingdom (8%), and Netherlands (8%).
Total fresh exports in MY 2021/22 were up two percent from the previous year, increasing from 215,000 MT to 219,000 MT. In MY 2015/16, Peru exported 112,000 MT, and has shown consistent growth, nearby doubling their export market since.
Exports to the U.S. have grown considerably in the last six years. Over the last three seasons, exports experienced a considerable increase due to COVID’s positive effect on citrus demand. However, MY 2023/24 demand is expected to drop and stabilize.
