CLAM

GENERAL SECRETARIAT

WEBSITE NEWS UPDATE 21 NOVEMBER 2010

USA

Peach fly found in south Florida

Florida agriculture inspectors are on the trail of another threatening exotic pest.During routine surveillance activities in early November, inspectors found a peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata, in a trap in a guava tree in Miami-Dade County, the first time that pest has been detected in Florida.The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has intensified its trapping in an 81-square mile area surrounding the fly find.Considered one of the world’s most threatening fruit fly pests, the peach fruit fly can cause a lot of potential economic harm. It attacks many fruits, vegetables and nuts, including citrus, tomatoes, eggplant, melons, peaches, mangoes, guava, apples, loquat, almonds and figs. The flies lay eggs in the fruit, and they hatch a couple of days later, destroying the fruit.“This is a disturbing find because of the extreme risks associated with exotic fruit fly infestations,” Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson said in a news release. “However, it is a clear indication that our fruit fly detection and monitoring program is working well, and fortunately, we have developed effective emergency response plans that in most cases allow us to quickly eradicate these dangerous pests,” Bronson said in the release. “The state, along with our federal partner, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is pouring all available resources into this find in Miami-Dade County."This is the third time inspectors have caught a rare exotic fruit fly in Florida this year. In June, trappers discovered Mediterranean fruit flies in Palm Beach County and eradicated them through a three-month effort. In August, trappers discovered two Oriental fruit flies in a trap in Pinellas County. Surveillance continues there and inspectors haven’t found any more flies, according to the release. So far this year, the state has spent $7 million in the Palm Beach and Pinellas counties eradication programs. http://thepacker.com/Peach-fly-found-in-south-Florida/Article.aspx?oid=1283565&tid=&fid=PACKER-

TOP-STORIES

California citrus industry drafts GAP handbook, By Don Schrack Published on 11/11/2010 11:19AM

A new food safety guidance handbook for California citrus growers targets production and harvesting practices. The Food Safety Good Agricultural Practices for California Citrus Growers highlights many of the steps already in use, said Bob Blakely, director of industrial relations for Exeter-based California Citrus Mutual. “Much of it is already being done, but the whole purpose behind this project is to get all growers on the same page,” he said. “Then we can assure our customers that we’re continuing to apply good safety practices.” Blakely, a member of the technical working group that drafted the handbook, said it is in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s request for input as the federal agency drafts its own food safety standards. Growers, but not packing facilities, are covered because “most of the packinghouses have had GAP standards in effect for several years,” Blakely said. The working group, led by Auburn-based California Citrus Quality Council President Jim Cranney, is developing sample food safety templates to assist growers and harvesters prepare food safety plans consistent with harmonized standards being developed by the fresh produce industry. “Each individual plan will detail how the grower is following food safety standards,” Blakely said. “Auditors will be able to look at the plan to verify the good agricultural practices.” The state citrus industry plans to submit the food safety handbook and standards to the FDA for review in advance of the agency’s proposed food safety rule, which is expected to be released in 2011. “The FDA fully recognizes the rule needs to be flexible enough to be commodity specific,” Blakely said. “It also recognizes the rule must be operationally specific, or in other words, to be flexible enough to apply to a large commercial operation right down to the small family farm

http://thepacker.com/California-citrus-industry-drafts-GAP-

handbook/Article.aspx?oid=1281974&aid=676&fid=PACKER-CROPS-AND-MARKETS

Florida Citrus: Florida grapefruit season gets out to a slow start

By Doug Ohlemeier Published on 11/10/2010 10:47AM VERO BEACH, Fla. — This year’s Florida grapefruit season is marked by a slow start caused by later maturing and smaller-sized fruit. The season got off to a late start this fall because of failing fruit maturity tests. Instead of starting in early and mid-October, the later-maturing fruit caused harvesting to start about two weeks behind schedule. Shippers describe the start as puzzling as two months of drought conditions stopped fruit growth and delayed maturities and juice levels, making growers and packers struggle to meet maturity levels during harvesting. “We have a good crop out there. It’s just a matter of getting to it,” Richard Miller, domestic sales manager of Premier Citrus Packers Inc., said in late October. “Once we get started, things will move along quite well.” Because of the tardy start, Miller called early season prices high. In late October, he quoted 56s selling for $10-11, with the larger 48s selling for $12-13 and 40s at $13-14 with prices on jumbos jumping to $16-18 for 36s and $22-24 for 32s and larger. Miller said prices increased on the 32s because lack of availability requires two weeks to sell a straight load. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in late October reported 4/5-bushel cartons of Florida red grapefruit in Chicago selling for $26 for 18s, $26-28 for 32s, $20-24 for 36s, $16-20 for 40s, and $17-18 for 56s. Last season, the USDA in late October reported the same red grapefruit in Chicago selling for $26 for 18s, $28-28.50 for 23s and 27s, $28 for 32s, $24-26 for 36s, $22-24 for 40s and $21 for 48s. The late start might actually help the deal as packers won’t overrun the market with too much volume too early in the deal, as has frequently happened in the past, Miller said. He said he expects prices to gradually work their way down as more promotable volume hits the deal. Pat Rodgers, president of Greene River Marketing Inc., characterized external and internal fruit quality as “absolutely brilliant.” He said the fruit that was being picked in late October possesses high brix, but buyers need to be aware of smaller sizes. “I don’t think there will be any point during the season when we will have more 32s and larger than 40s and smaller,” Rodgers said in late October. “The whole season won’t be inundated with 32s, 27s and 23s. It will be one of those years where pricing on bigger fruit will stay fairly strong. The middle sizes will be more prevalent.” Kevin Swords, Florida citrus sales manager for DNE World Fruit Sales, Fort Pierce, said the challenge of smaller-sized fruit will mean growers will have to better manage their harvesting. In late October, he said DNE’s growers were just starting to begin strong harvesting volume to where DNE could better supply its retail customers. Yes, the industry has the challenge of moving smaller-sized fruit early. Growers, however, will have to spot-pick groves twice this season to minimize picking much small fruit and run out of the sized fruit during the latter half of the season, he said. “It’s going to be a challenge, but we have been down this road before, and the good thing is it will allow us to have grapefruit through all of May,” Swords said. Indian River growers during the last couple of seasons have finished earlier than normal in April. The later start should allow shippers to supply their retail customers longer, shippers said. Because of the smaller sizings, Swords said retailers should look to promote smaller sizes in different size bags, such as 3-pound bags. Paul Genke, director of sales and marketing for The Packers of Indian River Ltd., Fort Pierce, said production should be similar to last season, which featured a variety of sizes. As fruit ran through the season last year, he said it fit the markets perfectly. Genke said grapefruit grown in the grower-shipper’s Gulf Coast region in southwest Florida has the same sizing structure as the Indian River region. “A lot of people think the bloom was later, and it was, but it was prolonged and stretched the deal out,” Genke said in late October. “We still have a lot of areas where the maturity isn’t there.” Riverfront Groves LLC planned to begin shipping fruit to Japan in earnest in early November, three weeks later than last season, said Dan Richey, chief executive officer. “This wasn’t the year to have a late start because this is a year when we have opportunity because inventories are very low in Europe and Japan,” he said. “It’s unfortunate because the customers are really desiring our fruit.” Richey said this season’s forecast of 20.3 million 4/5-bushel cartons should prove a highly manageable crop for retailers and consumers. According to the USDA, this season’s 20.3 million boxes, which consists of 6 million boxes of white and 14.3 million boxes of red, is 1% smaller than last season’s 21.7 million cartons. Riverfront plans to ship 1.7 million 4/5-bushel cartons, similar to last year. Most of Riverfront’s production ships to export customers. In late October, Matt Kastensmidt, national sales manager for IMG Citrus Inc., said the deal so far has worked well. “Large fruit is slim and nil, peaking on 40s-48s,” he said. “Promotable volumes in 3- and 5-pound bags are where we can use that fruit. I think it will continue to size as we go through the season. We definitely need some rain to help that along.”

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — As with grapefruit and oranges, buyers should expect smaller-sized Florida tangerines due to dry weather. In late October, Wm. G. Roe & Sons Inc., one of the state’s leading tangerine grower-shippers, was finishing packing fallglo tangerines and starting its robinson variety. It planned to start packing sunburst tangerines the week of Nov. 8. Quentin Roe, president, said abnormally dry conditions have hampered the fruit’s ability to size properly. “This has been the driest October we have had,” he said in late October. “While the drought has allowed the fruit to build very good brix so the fruit sweetness is running very high, on the negative side, it has prevented the fruit from reaching the full sizing it normally would. “The grade of the fruit looks very nice. Consumers are getting a very good eating experience from the fruit. The downside is it’s not getting quite as large as we would like to have.” While the fallglos received August and early September rains, Roe said sizings for the sunbursts should peak heavy in the 150s and break off into the 120s, 180s and finish with the 100s. Buyers shouldn’t expect to see many sunbursts sized 100 and below. Sunbursts typically peak on the 120s, the 100s, the 150s and later, the 80s, Roe said. Roe said all growers and shippers have been trying to hold back on starting the sunbursts as much as they can so the fruit can properly size. Kevin Swords, Florida citrus sales manager for DNE World Fruit Sales, Fort Pierce, said Florida experienced a strong fallglo season. Because cooler weather brought the color on, he said arrivals were strong with outstanding fruit color and high taste. The sunburst variety, which normally begins harvesting in late October, has been delayed until mid-November. Because of the delay, Swords said shippers want to stretch the fallglo season as long as possible to not leave retailers with any tangerine gap. “Once we get the sunbursts started, fallglos are hard to move,” he said. “Because we knew the sunbursts were going to be later, we stretched the fallglos out to eliminate a void and maximize grower returns.” Swords said retailers have provided strong support for Florida tangerines this fall. IMG Citrus Inc., Vero Beach, planned to start harvesting sunburst tangerines in early to mid-November and bring promotable bag volume to the market. Matt Kastensmidt, national sales manager, said sizings remain on the small side but quality looks strong. “We are getting a lot of inquiries about the start of sunbursts,” he said in late October. Typically, it takes a couple of weeks to gain strong and promotable volume on the sunburst crop, Kastensmidt said. He said pricing should be steady. Richard Miller, domestic sales manager of Premier Citrus Packers Inc., Vero Beach, said he expected to finish harvesting fallglos by late October. He had a good assessment of the sunbursts. “We are looking at a very good and clean crop,” he said in late October. “We have good sizing and smooth texture. That cool spring really helped us on all the varieties. The growing conditions were great at bloom time and that really carried us through. With the cool, steady temperatures, it just made for an overall even bloom, which is always conducive to better quality and better taste and better volume.” In late October, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported these prices for 4/5-bushel cartons of Florida fallglo tangerines in Chicago: $22.50-23 for 64s, $18-20 for 80s, $18 for 100s, $15-16 for 120s, $14.50-15 for 150s and $13-14 for 180s. Last year in late October, the USDA reported these prices for fallglos selling in Chicago: $26 for 48s, $20-22 for 64s, $18-20 for 80s, $16-18 for 100s, $13-14 for 120s, $13 for 150s and $11 for 180s. Al Finch, vice president of sales and marketing for Florida Classic Growers, Lake Hamilton, the marketing arm of the Dundee Citrus Growers Association, planned to finish harvesting of fallglo tangerines in early November and start harvesting sunbursts shortly after. “There has been a lack of rainfall, which has caused the sunburst tangerine to be a lot smaller than we have anticipated,” he said in late October. “The average sizes are to peak on the 180s and the 150s. A lot of chain stores prefer the 120s in a 3-pound bag.” http://thepacker.com/Smaller-sizings-mark-Florida-tangerine-deal/Article.aspx?oid=1281527&aid=657&fid=PACKER-SPECIAL-SECTIONS

Orange scab questions prompt voluntary suspension

By Pamela Riemenschneider

Published on 11/09/2010 04:21PM

UPDATED COVERAGE, Nov. 10) Shipments of Texas oranges and grapefruit to other citrus-producing states are on hold until Nov. 19. The industry voluntarily stopped shipments for 15 days to investigate a potential sweet orange scab issue, said Ray Prewett, president of Texas Citrus Mutual, Mission. “We

knew there were unanswered scientific questions,” Prewett said. “This is a good faith effort on the part of Texas grower-shippers to allow things to settle down and get those answers.” Texas shippers are working with the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service to determine if the fungus poses a threat to other growing regions. The literature on sweet orange scab is out of date, Prewett said. The most recent paper is from 1937. “The literature and the research on this is pretty thin,” he said. “That complicates being able to answer the questions that need to be answered to make people comfortable.” The fungus was first detected in June in Southeast Texas. Since then surveyors found it in dooryards in Willacy, Cameron and Hidalgo counties in the Rio Grande Valley, as well as in some research orchards. “It’s been around a long time, but some other very similar kinds of fungi are easily confused with it,” he said. “There’s an awful lot we don’t know about it.” In the meantime, the industry is working out an interim arrangement that ensures safe fruit is shipped. So far that includes shippers signing a compliance agreement that says they will not ship any fruit with sweet orange scab symptoms to other citrus producing states. Texas ships a significant part of its oranges to California this time of year, said John McClung, president of the Mission-based Texas Produce Association. “It’s approximately 25% of the market for Texas oranges,” he said. California buyers are concerned about when shipments will resume, McClung said. The 15-day suspension began on Nov. 4, and Prewett said it should be lifted on Nov. 19.

http://thepacker.com/Orange-scab-questions-prompt-voluntary-suspension/Article.aspx?oid=1281284&aid=654&fid=PACKER-CROPS-AND-MARKETS Florida citrus prices steady Florida’s climate is the secret behind the unique citrus fruit which it produces, itis a tropical paradise and the soil make up make Florida citrus taste like no other in the Global citrus production arena. The ratio of the fruit with acid to brix measurements attest to the eating quality of the citrus grown in Florida. This season has been very late starting and this was due primarily to the lateness and length of the bloom period caused by freezing temperatures last December and January. This has caused the start up to be 3 to 4 weeks later than traditional production timing. David Mixon from SealdSweet explains, "The lack of moisture has also delayed and presented fruit of good quality but lack of size. This lack of size has also been a cause of harvesting as the amount of fruit on the trees that can meet the size demand of the markets is greatly reduced. This causes the lack of continued harvesting as many acres must wait until size developments creating the inability to harvest consistently during this period." He goes on to say that due to all these factors, "our volumes are not what we had expected and is not anywhere near previous year's shipments to date of fresh or process fruit. The year is still young and the hopes that the fruit will size up and we will produce and ship the volumes of fruit projected for this coming year but it will be later in achieving this goal.. " Prices have been holding very steady do to the lack of harvesting. The citrus greening continues to be a major concern to the industry and has and will be directly affecting the production of Citrus in Florida. The future is hopeful with much investment by the industry to find the answers as to how to fight this disease. David says, "There has been great advancement in this process and every day the industry is getting closer to the answer that is needed. The costs continue to climb as the cost of research and the increasing cost in fighting the disease has made it impossible to continue with lower returns to the growers thus pricing is a must to achieve higher than in previous years or face even less production in the future. The continued decrease in production acreage is the reason for reduced volumes in production. The urban expansion before the crash and the amount of abandoned acreage that was caused by urban expansion as many acres purchased for home sights were never developed. Along with low grower returns and before the peak on land values also produced many acres of abandoned citrus. The idea of growers planting at this time is not high on the agenda and will not be until the answer for greening is available." The most important destinations for Florida citrus are Japan and Europe. The strict import regulations in Europe have meant less fruit entering the region. This is being addressed and the resolve is scientifically approved and once it is accepted then Europe will be able to receive the volume that they need from Florida production in the future.Other 'easier' markets are becoming more attractive to the US and will continue to grow, but the hopes are for change to lesson the demands set on regulations. Contact: David Mixon

SealdSweet NADavid@sealdsweet.com Publication date: 11/15/2010 Author: Nichola Watson Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

US: No change on Florida citrus forecast Florida's citrus harvest remains on track to total 171.6 million boxes, according to the latest forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency's November forecast, unchanged from October's, totals 7.76 percent more than last season's actual crop, which produced 159.2 million boxes. Grapefruit was the only citrus group that is forecast to decrease from last year's totals, by 1 percent.The current harvest began in October with non-Valencia oranges, white and colored grapefruit, and early Fallgo tangerines. As of the beginning of November, seven processing plants were open and 38 packinghouses were shipping fruit. At that point, less than 1 percent of the orange crop, 3 percent of the grapefruit crop and 17 percent of the early tangerine crop had been harvested. Source: orlandosentinel.com

Publication date: 11/11/2010

Florida Citrus applauds legislature’s override of HB 981 LAKELAND, Fla. (November 17, 2010) – Florida Citrus Mutual on Wednesday applauded the Legislature’s decision to override Gov. Crist’s veto of HB 981. The bill among other things codifies the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF) and raises the cap on the citrus research assessment from one to three cents.These two measures are critical in Florida citrus’ battle against HLB, or citrus greening, a bacterial disease that threatens the future of the $9 billion industry.“Making HB 981 law was crucial if our industry is going to beat this insidious disease. Only through the leadership of House Speaker Dean Cannon, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, Senator JD Alexander and Rep. Denise Grimsley was this override made possible. Mutual would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the legislators for their hard work,” said Michael W. Sparks, executive VP/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “In addition to the CRDF, the bill contains greenbelt language that will protect farmers from losing the agriculture classification because land is put up for sale. This is important to Florida citrus growers as well.” Gov. Crist earlier this year chose to veto HB 981 despite almost unanimous approval in the 2010 Legislature. On Tuesday, only two legislators voted against overriding the veto.Growers overwhelmingly approved the creation of the CRDF and the research cap hike in a December 2009 statewide referendum. But the CRDF needed legislative approval to become law.The CRDF, based at the University of Florida’s Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, is coordinating the industry’s multi-million research effort to defeat HLB.The Florida citrus industry creates a $9 billion annual economic impact, employing nearly 76,000 people, and covering more than 550,000 acres. Founded in 1948 and currently representing nearly 8,000 grower members, Florida Citrus Mutual is the state’s largest citrus grower organization. For more information, visit www.flcitrusmutual.com. Publication date: 11/18/2010

Jamaica: FAO grants US$480,000 to tackle citrus greening disease The local citrus industry has received some much-needed assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to tackle citrus greening disease, which has been severely impacting the island over the past two years. Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton and FAO representative for Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, Dr. Jerome Thomas, this morning (November 16) signed a US$480,000 agreement to provide an array of technical support to the industry.Speaking at the signing, which was held at the Ministry's Hope Garden's premises in Kingston, Dr. Tufton said the presence of the citrus greening disease was threatening the livelihood of those linked to the industry.

Even before the discovery of the disease in the island two years ago, citrus production had dropped from 140 tonnes in 2003 to 122,000 in 2008, which the Minister blamed on a range of factors including the citrus tristeza virus, adverse weather conditions, less than optimal management, aging farmers and declining acreages."We appealed to the FAO and they responded and have agreed on an 18-month programme, focusing on diagnostic detection, collaboration, training and upgrading, facilitation, and the production of disease-free materials for nurseries in order to expand the production of citrus plants, and do so in a way that is resistance to the citrus greening challenge that we face," the Minister outlined.The programme activities will involve mobilising citrus stakeholders, working with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Citrus Growers Association, to facilitate field visits; provision of laboratory space to facilitate training; provision of site nurseries and technicians and research assistance; coordination of training events; and administrative support. Biological support programmes will also be examined, including monitoring."For us, these resources are very well-timed," Minister Tufton said, expressing gratitude and support to the FAO. He said the citrus industry is extremely valuable to the country in terms of earnings and employment."It has an estimated value of some $4 billion. Over 95 per cent of total citrus production is utilised locally for the fresh fruit market or in processing, while approximately four or five per cent is exported. On farm employment is estimated at about 6,000 persons.overall directly and indirectly, you're looking at about 19,000 or close to 20,000 jobs," he pointed out.Technical Director at the Citrus Growers Association, Percy Miller, told JIS News that his organisation welcomed the funds, and expressed the desire for the benefits to impact the industry in an expedient manner. He said that the citrus greening diseases, is fairly new to Jamaica, and that the pattern is being examined. "We see where, for example, limes are the most affected. For the past two years since we have noticed the disease, what we are noticing is that the species most impacted is limes.but we really haven't yet got the complete picture," he noted. Source: jis.gov.jm

Publication date: 11/18/2010

US Report: Fresh produce consumption lacking

By Tom Karst

Published on 11/17/2010 12:56PM

A five-year progress report for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption gives mostly low grades to government and private efforts to increase consumption.

Following up on its National Action Plan released in 2005, leaders of the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance gave out grades to various industry and government sectors for their work in improving diets.

Elizabeth Pivonka, co-chair of the alliance and president of PBH, Hockessin, Del., said in a teleconference today that the scorecard was developed using public and private data on fruit and vegetable consumption.

“The main take-home point is that there is still a lot of work to do and that it is the responsibility of both public and private sectors to make progress,” she said.

The alliance gave four failing grades:

• Adult fruit and vegetable consumption;

• Advertising of healthy foods;

• Teenage fruit and vegetable consumption; and

• The cost of inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption (health care costs, etc.).

Pivonka said both adult and teen fruit and vegetable consumption have not increased over the past five years, with the number of adults who reach vegetable consumption goals declining. Teen consumption of fruits and vegetables has dropped from 1.84 cups five years ago to 1.76 cups today.

Advertising of healthy foods has declined too, and Pivonka said the advertising money for fruits and vegetables is far less than it should be.

“With the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables at nearly half of all food that should be consumed, nearly half of all food advertising should also focus on fruits and vegetables,” the report said.

Another failing grade was given to the fact that the costs relating to inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption continue to grow, rising from $29 billion in 2000 to $56 billion in 2010.

The 15-member alliance is composed of organizations seeking to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, including the Produce for Better Health Foundation, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association.

http://thepacker.com/Report--Fresh-produce-consumption-lacking/Article.aspx?oid=1283707&tid=&fid=PACKER-TOP-STORIES US : Slip sliding away: Per capita fruit consumption 2004-2009

The USDA issued its annual Fruit and Tree Nut Yearbook for 2010, and I've published a range of per capita use numbers from that report. Total per capita use of selected fruit was 101.3 pounds in 2009, off from 102.8 pounds in 2004. Among the good-news commodities, per capita use of strawberries rose from 5.5 pounds to 7.2 pounds, and per capita numbers for pineapple rose form 4.4 pounds to 5.1 pounds.Avocados also did well, with per capita use numbers gaining a full pound from 2004 to 2009 - from 3.1 pounds to 4.1 pounds. Grapes also rose, from 7.8 pounds in 2004 to 7.9 pounds per capita use in 2009.On the downside, apple production sagged (all comparisons are 2009 to 2004) from 18.8 pounds to 16.4 pounds, bananas came off from 25.8 pounds to 24.7 pounds, oranges slid from 10.8 pounds to 9.1 pounds and grapefruit dropped from 4.1 pounds to an alarming 2.8 pounds.

http://thepacker.com/Slip-sliding-away--Per-capita-fruit-consumption-2004-2009/FreshTalkBlog.aspx?oid=1281256&tid

USA establishes quarantine zones for citrus in Florida.

Como consecuencia de la presencia de “mancha negra de los cítricos“enfermedad fúngica causada por

Guignardia citricarpa.

02/11/2010 (Noticia leida 318 veces) Embajada Española en Washigton.-El 14 de octubre el Servicio de Sanidad Animal y Vegetal del Departamento de Agricultura ha publicado una orden por la que establece cuarentena para ciertas zonas de FLORIDA como consecuencia de la presencia de “mancha negra de los cítricos“ enfermedad fúngica causada por Guignardia citricarpa. La Orden establece las zonas específicas y las condiciones para autorizar el movimiento interestatal de cítricos frescos, regulando el trasporte de plantas o partes de plantas de cítricos procedentes de las zonas en cuarentena. La orden también establece las condiciones que deben cumplir los agricultores en sus explotaciones. La enfermedad no afecta a la salud

humana pero causa importantes lesiones en la fruta al aparecer manchas oscuras en su piel. La enfermedad reduce la producción y provoca la caída de los frutos. Esta enfermedad afecta a todos los cítricos pero especialmente a limones y naranjas tardías. Esta enfermedad se detectó por primera vez en Estados Unidos en Abril de 2010.

http://www.agroinformacion.com/noticias/5/citricos/30656/eeuu-establece-zonas-de-cuarentena-para-citricos-en-florida.aspx

US citric acid industry claims Chinese firms avoiding antidumping duties

By Caroline Scott-Thomas, 26-Oct-2010

The American citric acid industry has asked the US Department of Commerce to investigate possible

circumvention of antidumping and countervailing duties in place for citric acid imported from China.

Chinese citric acid imported into the US is subject to antidumping duties of between 94.61 and 156.87 percent, and countervailing duties (CVD) of 3.60 to 118.95 percent, in an attempt to avoid flooding the market with cheap citric acid and depressing prices for domestic producers. However, three major players in the US citric acid industry, Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill and Tate & Lyle Americas, have claimed that some Chinese companies are shipping their product to the US via Thailand, thereby avoiding the duties.

In a statement, the three companies quoted Corn Products China News, claiming that a securities consultant called Mr. Yuan at Chinese citric acid firm Anhui BBCA Biochemical Co., Ltd had told the publication: “In order to avoid anti-dumping duty and CVD in the US, Chinese citric acid producers usually

make use of overseas traders with no anti-dumping or CVD cases in the US to export citric acid to the

US.”

No one from Anhui BBCA Biochemical returned a request for comment prior to publication.

“These actions not only rob the US Treasury of significant revenues, but they also threaten the health of

American citizens by rendering the source of an important food, beverage, and pharmaceutical

ingredient untraceable,” ADM, Cargill and Tate & Lyle Americas said.

The three companies said that the request for an investigation into possible transshipment through Thailand could be just the first in a number of requests to the Department of Commerce, as they attempt to gather evidence of circumvention of duties via other countries including Israel, Indonesia, India, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan.

Citric acid is a fermentation product, which means it can be made from a number of carbohydrate products including corn and sugar.

Both the United States and Europe have imposed duties on Chinese imports after complaints that domestic producers cannot compete with cheaper Chinese products.

However, the Chinese production process differs from that used in the US and Europe. Chinese fermentation requires raw materials from an early stage in the supply chain so Chinese manufacturers use the plant itself, such as corn, sweet potato or cassava. The Western fermentation method uses purer raw materials such as sugar, starch, dextrose or molasses, which are more expensive per carbohydrate unit.

http://www.ap-foodtechnology.com/Processing/US-citric-acid-industry-claims-Chinese-firms-avoiding-antidumping-duties/?c=53rWw5Y0PJMQKvgQ8kFVFg%3D%3D&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily

US CITRUS TRADE BARRIERS Michael Wootton: on citrus trade barriers

By Tom Karst , Published on 10/11/2010 08:53AM

Comment from Michael Wootton, Sunkist Growers Document ID:

Here is the submission by Michael Wootton, Sunkist Growers, concerning the USTR docket on estimates of trade barriers. Excerpts from the overview and selections on trade barriers for export to the European Union and Korea.... USTR-2010-0022-0090.1

This is comment on PROPOSED RULE: Request for Public Comments National Trade Estimate Report on

Foreign Trade Barriers and Reports, etc.

Docket ID: USTR-2010-0022

GENERAL OVERVIEW

The U.S. fresh citrus industry faces a number of pressing trade-related disadvantages that are impairing

its competitiveness in the global and U.S. marketplace.

Large Tariff Inequities

The current average nominal tariff for fresh citrus entering the United States is 2.7%. The average tariff

for U.S. fresh citrus attempting to enter foreign markets is 56.9%. Sunkist growers continue to ask why a

Japanese farmer can sell his oranges in the United States at less than a 2% duty, but Sunkist must sell its

oranges to Japan at a 32% duty, costing our growers millions of dollars each year. Similarly in Korea, U.S.

fresh oranges face a 50% duty, while Korean Unshu oranges enter the U.S. virtually duty free (1.4%). The

U.S. citrus industry is in urgent need of bilateral and multilateral tariff reductions to correct this

imbalance.

Large Subsidy Inequities

According to U.S. government data, the EU provides billions of dollars in annual subsidies to its

horticulture and wine sector, including citrus. U.S. horticultural and wine producers, including fresh citrus

producers, receive almost no government subsidies. These subsidy disparities can best be addressed

through multilateral reforms, and through U.S. assistance for market promotion and other forms of

“green-box” support.

Growing FTA Disadvantages

In recent years, foreign citrus-producing countries have negotiated a growing number of “FTAs” with

countries key to our export growth. Two large citrus producers, the EU and China, for example, have

finalized, or will soon finalize, a number of FTAs with important export markets for citrus. Chile, another

citrus-producing country, benefits from an FTA with Korea, which gives Chilean producers a significant

tariff advantage over U.S. lemons entering that market (8.2% and duty-free in 2014 vs. 30% for U.S.

lemons this coming season). These FTA access disadvantages for the U.S. industry can only be mitigated

if the United States intensifies its efforts to pursue and close FTAs with important citrus-consuming

markets.

Unjustified Phytosanitary Barriers

In recent years, foreign governments have increasingly relied on non-scientific phytosanitary barriers to

restrict citrus imports. FAS, APHIS/IS/PPQ, and USTR critically need increased resources to address these

challenges. More aggressive and comprehensive U.S. government intervention is also needed. U.S.

officials should more actively leverage U.S. trading interests to prevent access imbalances that harm U.S.

citrus growers and help their competitors.

Rising Imports

In addition to the U.S. industry’s export challenges, U.S. imports of low-priced citrus, which enter with no

material duty, are capturing a growing share of the U.S. citrus industry’s valuable domestic market. This

puts downward pressure on U.S. industry profitability and increases the need for improved export

growth.

The following comments more specifically address these trade concerns in each of the major citrus

markets where they arise. A separate page is provided for each country as requested in the Federal

Register notice.

EUROPEAN UNION

European citrus producers, such as those in Spain who are major competitors with American citrus

growers both in the U.S. market and in key export markets, enjoy significant subsidies from the EU and

their own national governments.

Historically, EU and Member State government subsidies have included EU subsidies for young (age 18-

40) growers; payments to Spanish lemon and grapefruit growers; subsidies for modernization of

operations; subsidies for new plantings and re-plantings; subsidies for integrated phytosanitary

treatments, new technology and equipment; and subsidies to growers for citrus used for processing and

juice, including most recently for Clementines used for juice to help growers address over-production of

unmarketable volumes.

Beginning with the 2008 marketing year, EU Member State citrus growers receive EU aid in the form of

direct payments provided through the EU’s Single Payment Scheme (SPS). Under the regime, EU citrus

growers receive a per metric ton payment based on each grower’s historical payments. In Greece, the

SPS payment for citrus growers is reported to be 1,300 Euro/Ha for output between 10,000–30,000 kg

and 4,200 Euros for 30,001 kg and over. In Spain, the 2009 aid payments are reported to be 1,214,45

Euro/Ha for lemons, 61.24 Euro/Ha for grapefruit, and 597.85 Euros/Ha for oranges, mandarins,

tangerines, and Clementines.

In addition, Spain has implemented a citrus plantation restructuring program for 2008-2013 under which

up to 18,000 hectares will be restructured with the aim of planting new varieties, improving quality,

saving water, and extending the production season. In 2009, applications for nearly 10,000 hectares

were submitted for this aid.

The EU’s aid for citrus also includes (i) withdrawal aid paid to growers to remove surplus product from

the market, (ii) export refunds to compensate for the difference between the EU price and world price for

fresh oranges, mandarins, Clementines, satsumas, and lemons, and (iii) funding to cover 50% of the

Producer Organizations operational budgets.

With the help of these subsidies, low-priced Spanish Clementines are entering the U.S. in significant

volumes. During the years 1996-2000, imports of Spanish Clementines grew by over 140%. Over the last

three years, Spanish Clementine producers have exported on average over 55,000 metric tons of

Clementines annually to the U.S. market. Sunkist is suffering a decline in U.S. sales of a minimum of 100

to 150 loads per week (100,000 – 150,000 40 lb. cartons) equal to about $800,000 to $1,200,000 in lost

market share.

High tariffs are also an issue and discourage U.S. exports to the EU market. The European Union (EU) has

a discriminatory tariff preference scheme for Mediterranean basin countries with which it has not yet

concluded free trade agreements. The non-reciprocal tariff arrangement has a particularly adverse effect

on U.S. summer and winter oranges, which has effectively removed us from competition in Europe.

Moreover, while Spanish and other EU producers enjoy unfettered access to millions of American

consumers at a tariff of less than 2%, our orange growers are effectively barred from the EU by

comparatively high tariffs.

It is estimated that if the U.S. could obtain equal tariff treatment for fresh orange, lemon and grapefruit

exports to the EU, and EU subsidies were curtailed, our export sales would increase by $5 million to $25

million in the first two years.

REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Consistent with its long history of imposing unreasonable barriers on citrus imports, Korea is still today

restricting access for U.S. citrus through high bound and applied tariffs. Korea produces no fresh sweet

oranges, and only produces Mandarins during four months of the year (November – February), but

subjects orange imports to a bound and applied tariff of 50%. Its bound and applied tariff on grapefruit

and lemons, products not even produced in Korea, is 30%. Other specialty citrus fruits, such as the

popular Mandarin varieties, face a 144% tariff. By comparison, Korean oranges and other fresh citrus

products entering the U.S. market face a duty of about 2 cents per kilogram, or less than 1% ad valorem.

While Sunkist will benefit from tariff reductions for lemons and grapefruit once KORUS is implemented,

we are disappointed by the terms of access negotiated for fresh oranges. KORUS establishes only a minor

seasonal duty-free tariff-rate quota for the six- month period September 1 through the end of February

(set at a volume equivalent to only 5% of historical U.S. orange exports to Korea during the period), with

an over-quota duty of 50%.

We are asking for assurances that the 50% over-quota duty will never be higher than Korea’s WTO rate

for oranges, and that every possible bilateral and multilateral effort is made to reduce the 50% over-

quota tariff to a more reasonable rate in the near-term. The minor in-quota FTA volume for oranges

should also be increased and administered consistent with WTO rules.

Lower Korean tariffs on fresh citrus would benefit Korean consumers by offering greater choice and

quality. Moreover, with lower tariffs, U.S. exporters would increase their advertising efforts in the Korean

market, which would build consumer demand for the benefit of Korea’s own citrus producers.

Korea’s sanitary and phytosanitary restrictions on U.S. citrus are described in Sunkist’s October 4, 2010

submission to the NTER on SPS measures.

If all Korea’s citrus import impediments were removed, California and Arizona would increase their

exports of fresh citrus fruit to Korea by about $100 million annually.

Publication date: 11/2/2010 Author: Nichola Watson

http://thepacker.com/Michael-Wootton--on-citrus-trade-barriers/FreshTalkBlog.aspx?oid=1259623&tid

PERU

Peru: Phytosanitary requirements are set for citrus plants imports from Israel

El Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria (Senasa) estableció hoy requisitos fitosanitarios específicos de cumplimiento obligatorio en la importación de varas yemeras de cítricos de origen y procedencia de Israel. El permiso fue otorgado a pedido de la Asociación de Productores de Cítricos del Perú (Procitrus), cuyas importaciones deberán contar con la certificación y embarque en el país de origen y de procedencia. De acuerdo a una resolución directoral del Senasa publicada hoy, el proceso de cuarentena posentrada tendrá una duración de 12 meses. En dicho lapso el material instalado en el lugar de producción será sometido, por parte del Senasa, a tres inspecciones obligatorias para el seguimiento de la cuarentena posentrada y a una obligatoria al final para el levantamiento de la cuarentena posentrada, de cuyos resultados se dispondrá el destino final del producto.

Según la norma, el envió deberá tener el Certificado Fitosanitario oficial emitido por la Organización Nacional de Protección Fitosanitaria (ONPF) del país de origen. Además, de una declaración que señale que la importación procede de lugares de producción registrados e inspeccionados por la ONPF de Israel y estar libres de Aceria sheldoni, pseudomonas syringae, entre otros. La referida norma establece además que el Senasa dictará las medidas fito y zoosanitarias para la prevención, control y erradicación de plagas y enfermedades. Dichas medidas serán de cumplimiento obligatorio por parte de los propietarios u ocupantes, bajo cualquier título, del predio o establecimiento respectivo, y de los propietarios o transportistas que se trate. Fuente: Andina Fecha de publicación: 17/11/2010

Peruvian citrus exports increase by 30%

JUEVES, 18 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2010 14:02 PRODUCTOS ESTRELLA Los cítricos peruanos siguen su continuado ascenso en el mercado internacional al conseguir un valor de US$ 53,5 millones y un volumen de 64,8 mil TM durante periodo enero-octubre de este año, 30% más que el mismo periodo del 2009. Esta carrera exitosa de los cítricos la lidera la mandarina, que alcanzó un valor de US$ 34,4 millones y realizó unos embarques por volumen de 36,6 mil TM, 46,4% más si lo comparamos con el mismo periodo de 2009 que registró un valor de US$ 23,5 millones.Los principales mercados son Reino Unido, con un valor de US$ 11,7 millones y un volumen de 11,7 mil TM; EEUU, con US$ 7,4 millones y 8,1 mil TM; Canadá, con US$ 6 millones y 6,2 mil TM; y Países Bajos, con US$ 4,5 millones y 5,2 mil TM.A las exportaciones de mandarina seguirían las correspondientes a tangelo, con un total de US$ 16,5 millones y un volumen 21,7 mil TM, representando una variación del 6,3% respecto al año pasado donde el monto equivalió a US$ 15,5 millones y 21,7 mil TM.Los principales mercados de esta fruta fueron Países Bajos, que sumó US$ 6,2 millones y 8,8 mil TM; EEUU, con US$ 5,1 millones y 6,4 mil TM; y Reino Unido, con US$ 1,6 millones y 2,1 mil TM.

Fuente: Agraria.pe

http://www.pymex.pe/noticias/oportunidades/productos-estrella/6577-citricos-peruanos-incrementan-

sus-envios-en-un-30.html

BRAZIL

Brazil: Fundecitrus alerts about an insect transmitting greening

O Fundo de Defesa da Citricultura (Fundecitrus) iniciou uma campanha de alerta para que os produtores controlem a incidência do inseto do greening, o psílideo Diaphorina citri, cuja população aumenta nesta época, período de brotação das plantas cítricas. A campanha, veiculada em rádios de 50 municípios de todo o parque citrícola, é uma das ações do Fundecitrus para informar os produtores. De acordo com o órgão, o produtor deve monitorar os pomares por meio de armadilhas posicionadas em pontos estratégicos da propriedade, as quais atuam na contagem do número de insetos. Outra ação do produtor é a visual, com vistorias nas brotações dos citros à procura do inseto. A inspeção deve ser feita de três a cinco ramos novos por planta. O controle do psilídeo é realizado ainda pela aplicação de inseticidas que evitam a dispersão do inseto pelo pomar e, consequentemente, a transmissão da doença. As medidas adequadas de manejo evitam o pico populacional, que ocorre até o início do verão. O greening é a pior doença da citricultura por não ter cura e o único controle é o manejo. Além do controle do inseto, o produtor precisa erradicar plantas

contaminadas, fazer vistorias constantes nos pomares e utilizar mudas sadias. Fuente: Campovivo Transgenic used in Brazil for studies on citrus diseases. Un grupo de investigadores brasileños desarrolló un hongo transgénico que asume un aspecto fluorescente al ser sometido a luces ultravioletas para poder facilitar el estudio de una de las enfermedades que más amenaza a los cítricos. La técnica desarrollada por investigadores de la Universidad de Sao Paulo (USP) permite analizar la forma como el hongo coloniza y se expande en cultivos de cítricos e identificar las plantas ya atacadas por el organismo, informó el día 20 este centro académico. El organismo modificado genéticamente es el hongo Guignardia citicapca (Gc), responsable por la llamada Mancha Negra de los Cítricos, al que le fue introducido el gen que lo hace fluorescente. Según la ingeniera agrónoma María Betriz Calderan, investigadora de la Escuela Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz de la USP y responsable por el proyecto, el método permitirá un mayor control sobre la incidencia de la enfermedad, que se caracteriza por dejar manchas negras en las cáscaras de los frutos. La Mancha Negra de los Cítricos es una de las enfermedades más comunes en los pomares brasileños y una de las principales responsables por las pérdidas de los exportadores, ya que los frutos afectados no son aceptados en los principales mercados consumidores, especialmente en Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea. Brasil es uno de los mayores productores de naranja y el mayor exportador mundial de jugo de naranja. El uso de los rayos ultravioleta para vigilar el avance del hongo permite detectar con mayor precisión los síntomas del patógeno en las plantas.(Xinhua) 21/10/2010 "El seguimiento de la colonización del patógeno y de sus síntomas en sus plantas es más fácil con el hongo transgénico, así como el control de la enfermedad", explicó la investigadora. El avance del hongo transgénico ya fue analizado en laboratorio y los investigadores se preparan para estudiarlo en áreas de cultivo. Empresas de biotecnología de Brasil y de España que realizan investigaciones con cítricos ya mostraron interés en adquirir la tecnología para usarla en sus estudios. El combate a la Mancha Negra puede reducir las pérdidas con frutos enfermos y disminuir el uso de fungicidas en el cultivo de cítricos. Actualmente el hongo es combatido con fungicidas que son aplicados por cinco meses después del florecimiento de la planta y hasta que el fruto está listo para la cosecha. Pese a que la enfermedad no afecta la calidad del producto, los frutos afectados por el hongo son rechazados por los países importadores para impedir que sus cultivos se contagien con una enfermedad que consideran altamente contagiosa

Fecha de publicación: 18/11/2010

http://spanish.peopledaily.com.cn/92121/7172700.html

SPAIN

Spain: Intercitrus encourages citrus consumption. Especially for children

Intercitrus ha lanzado una campaña a nivel nacional para el consumo de cítricos que pretende incentivar, especialmente en la población infantil, el consumo de naranjas y mandarinas por sus "numerosos efectos beneficiosos para la salud". Así se ha puesto de manifiesto durante la presentación de la campaña en Valencia, donde se ha asegurado que el consumo de cítricos contrarresta enfermedades relacionadas con la nutrición, como la obesidad infantil, los efectos dañinos del colesterol, e incluso disminuye la incidencia de cánceres digestivos. A la presentación han asistido el presidente de Intercitrus, Juan Safont, la consellera de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación, Maritina Hernández, la Pilar Codoñer, Jefe de Servicio de Pediatría Hospital

Doctor Peset en Valencia y Profesora Titular de Pediatría de la Universitat de Valencia. Pilar Codoñer ha afirmado que estudios clínicos a nivel mundial apuntan a que los cánceres digestivos "disminuyen su incidencia cuando la población consume más cítricos" y su ingestión también puede contrarrestar el efecto dañino del colesterol. "Los cítricos aportan vitaminas, agua, fibra, tienen un efecto saciante y un bajo contenido calórico", afirma Codoñer, quien ha agregado que por ello "son beneficiosos en la prevención de la obesidad infantil, de ahí la importancia de educar a la población infantil para crear el hábito de consumo de cítricos". La obesidad infantil en España está cercana al 18% de los niños, y aunque el 60% de los menores consume al menos una fruta al día "deberíamos llegar a la ingesta de 5 raciones de fruta o verdura diarias", según la especialista. Fuente: Agro-alimentarias

Fecha de publicación: 15/11/2010

SPAIN Clementine and orange fell half- prices in the two last decades

Los precios de las clementinas y las naranjas han caído a la mitad en las dos últimas décadas, mientras que los costes de producción han crecido un 19% en el caso de las clementinas y un 38% en el caso de las naranjas, según un estudio del Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA).La Asociación Valenciana de Agricultores (AVA) difundió el informe y defendió que el trabajo refleja cómo la ganancia del mercado en la Unión Europea se ha realizado a costa del hundimiento del campo.El informe firmado por Pedro Caballero, director del departamento de Economía Agraria del IVIA, constata que en las dos décadas analizadas, las exportaciones de clementinas y naranjas se han duplicado al pasar de 1,5 millones de toneladas a más de 3,1 millones. Los productores españoles copan el 84,5% de las clementinas que consume el mercado europeo y el 49% de las naranjas.Pero su dispersión se traduce en una "incapacidad negociadora", en palabras de Caballero, ante una demanda muy concentrada que fuerza a la baja los precios en origen.

http://www.elpais.com/articulo/Comunidad/Valenciana/precios/citricos/caen/mitad/decadas/elpepuespval/20101111elpval_22/Tes

SPAIN: PARAGUAY WILL OPEN AN HONORARY CONSULATE IN VALENCIA (EFE).

La viceministra de Exteriores de Paraguay, Lilian Lebrón, ha anunciado hoy que su país está habilitando un Consulado Honorario en Valencia, y ha asegurado que existen varios ámbitos en los que se puede establecer una colaboración "estrecha" entre su país y esta ciudad.Lebrón ha hecho estas manifestaciones a los periodistas tras reunirse en el Palau de la Generalitat con el president del Gobierno valenciano, Francisco Camps.La viceministra de Exteriores de Paraguay ha explicado que también ha mantenido reuniones con otras autoridades, en las que ha agradecido la acogida brindada a sus compatriotas, y ha afirmado que existen "magníficas oportunidades" para poder desarrollar una relación "más estrecha" con Valencia.En su opinión, se puede colaborar en aspectos puntuales como la tecnología que ha desarrollado la Comunitat Valenciana en cítricos o en construcción, que puede ayudar "muchísimo" a Paraguay, mientras que se ha ofrecido a servir de vínculo para las inversiones valencianas que se deseen efectuar en su país. EFE lb/jc

http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=575438

Spain: Around sixteen – twenty shipments loaded with Clementines will probably leave Castellon port

with destination to USA during this citrus campaign.

Castellón, 19 oct (EFE).- Entre dieciséis y veinte embarcaciones cargadas con clementinas zarparán previsiblemente desde el puerto de Castellón con destino a Estados Unidos durante esta campaña citrícola, según ha apuntado hoy el subdelegado del Gobierno en Castellón, Antonio Lorenzo.

En el puerto de Castellón, Lorenzo se ha interesado por los trabajos de carga del primer barco de la temporada que, lleno de clementinas, zarpará previsiblemente mañana hacia los EEUU, han informado fuentes de la Subdelegación en un comunicado.

Lorenzo ha recordado que las exportaciones españolas de cítricos a Estados Unidos se realizan fundamentalmente desde Castellón, como pone de manifiesto el hecho de que desde el puerto de la capital de la Plana se registrase la pasada campaña el 85 por ciento de los envíos de mandarinas que tenían como destino ese país.

Durante la campaña citrícola de año pasado se enviaron a Estados Unidos más de 38.000 toneladas de mandarinas, que fueron transportadas en dieciséis barcos.

"Estados Unidos es fundamental para el futuro de nuestro sector citrícola, porque aunque Europa es el principal mercado receptor de nuestras exportaciones, el segundo destino en importancia para la clementina de Castellón es el mercado estadounidense", ha indicado.

EFE

http://www.abc.es/agencias/noticia.asp?noticia=558117

MEXICO

Mexico and USA carry out a campaign against citrus “greening”. Joint forces

Las autoridades de los departamentos de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA, siglas en inglés) y México (SAGARPA) están llevando a cabo una campaña para combatir una perjudicial plaga de los cítricos donde la finalidad principal es que no se muevan las plantas para sembrarse en otro lugar, a menos que procedan de un lugar autorizado. Así fue dado a conocer en una conferencia de prensa en la que estuvieron presentes Larry Hawkins, vocero de USDA; Héctor Mancha, del Departamento de Seguridad y Aduanas en Hidalgo; César Cortez Bello, representante de SAGARPA; Laurie Elizalde, de USDA y Monty Dozier, de Extensión Agrícola, entre otros. Se indicó que la enfermedad es conocida como "enverdecimiento de los cítricos" (Greening) o también por la siglas HLB o "Dragón amarillo", cuyos efectos en las plantas impiden que las frutas logren madurarse y se queden verdes. Texas se encuentra libre de esa enfermedad, no así el estado de Florida, donde se han dado brotes, y los lugares mexicanos afectados por la plaga se encuentran localizados en Nayarit, Jalisco, Yucatán y Campeche. Veracruz, que aporta el 78 por ciento del total de la exportación mexicana de cítricos, así como Tamaulipas y Nuevo León, se encuentran libres de la enfermedad. Los informantes indicaron que la fruta no es portadora del vector de la enfermedad, solamente las plantas, por lo que la campaña que se ha iniciado conjuntamente por los dos países busca que no se trasplanten árboles de cítricos a menos que sean adquiridos en lugares debidamente establecidos comercialmente como Home Depot, Lowes y viveros autorizados. Se dijo, asimismo, que la campaña "No muevas las plantas" es de acción preventiva y no existe ningún problema para que se continúen efectuando importaciones de cítricos a los Estados Unidos. La fruta no es portadora de la enfermedad, se aclaró.

Fuente: Elperiodicousa

Fecha de publicación: 17/11/2010

MEXICO: Excellent citrus production in the country

A diferencia de hace un año cuando la producción citrícola en el Estado cayó en más de 200 mil

toneladas a consecuencia del intenso calor y la escasez de lluvias, en este 2010 la producción del fruto

es de 450 mil toneladas, informó Alejandro Menéndez Bojórquez, secretario de Fomento Agropecuario y

Pesquero. El funcionario señaló que en total se sembraron 20 mil hectáreas con la participación más de

seis mil productores, principalmente de Oxkutzkab, Akil y el Centro Poniente del Estado.“Estamos

hablando de limón persa, naranja dulce y agria, mandarina, además de toronja por lo que hay exceso del

fruto este año en el Estado”, recalcó. “El año pasado fueron 221 mil toneladas de 400 mil que se

esperaban captar, porque hubo una sequía atípica y eso no permitió que hubiera buena cosecha”,

recordó. Incluso, añadió, para atender la demanda local hubo necesidad de importar el producto de

Campeche, Veracruz, Sinaloa y Tamaulipas costando la bolsa con 100 frutas hasta 30 y 40 pesos. “Ahora

la Juguera de Akil comprará de 10 a 15 mil toneladas y todo va bien, seguimos con las exportaciones a

Estados Unidos y Alemania con limón persa, y en la parte citrícola nos irá bien y eso beneficiará a cuatro

mil productores”, subrayó. El funcionario estatal aseveró que en el caso del maíz sembraron mil

hectáreas y se lograrán 360 mil toneladas.“Con el sorgo estamos a tiempo y en diciembre estaremos

cosechando sorgo y soya en un 60 y 70 por ciento más que lo alcanzado en 2009”, aseguró. “Fue un

buen año para la producción, a pesar que en algunas zonas en el Cono Sur y Oriente no llovió lo

suficiente, pero entre un 70 u 80 por ciento se lograrán las cosechas agrícolas lo que beneficia a más de

seis mil productores en total”, reiteró. “En pesca valdría la pena analizar el tema de la ampliación de la

temporada de captura de pulpo, siempre he dicho que los investigadores deben dar nuevas alternativas,

la pesca ahora ya no es garantía y soy de la opinión que se analice antes de tomar una decisión de

ampliar la temporada hasta el 31 de diciembre”, expresó. “Lo que es difícil es la meta de 12 mil

toneladas que se habían trazado captar los más de 18 mil pescadores inmersos en la captura del pulpo y

con una derrama económica de 600 millones de pesos, lo más que se podría alcanzar serían entre ocho

mil y nueve mil toneladas”, concluyó.

http://www.tribunacampeche.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33158:excelente-

produccion-de-citricos-en-estado&catid=28:primeraplana&Itemid=43

Tihuatlán, the second citrus producer in Veracruz Publicada el Thursday, 28 October 2010 Maybelline Ibáñez Juárez Tihuatlán, Ver.- Trabajadores en la producción de Cítricos en Tihuatlán informaron que más de medio millón de toneladas de naranja y limón son importadas al centro de abastos de México y a otros estados del país.Aurelio Hernández Robles, destacó que el municipio es el segundo municipio de Veracruz en la producción de cítricos, después de Álamo que es el principal y el cual también abastece a mayor parte del país y en el extranjero, sin embargo, la elevada producción que se ha tenido en Tihuatlán ha permitido que se venda a nivel nacional por la calidad que tiene el producto.Cabe señalar que Tihuatlan tiene 262.03 hectáreas en producción y la zona norte del Estado ocupa un lugar importante en el mercado nacional. El entrevistado dijo que la citricultura en Tihuatlán deja un buen ingreso y genera fuente de trabajo para la clase campesina, sin embargo, este año disminuyo un poco la importación del cítrico por la sequía y la lluvia.Agregó que hasta el momento se han mantenido estable ante las contingencias que se han presentado en la zona.

http://www.infoveracruz.com/noticias/?p=60773

SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa citrus industry sets new record South Africa citrus exports set a new record in the 2010 season, in which 99 million have been packed, according to a statement from the Citrus Growers Association. The industry packed 13% more citrus in 2010 than 2009, and has shipped 97.2 million cartons, 20% more than last year. In 2009, South Africa packed 87.6 million cartons and shipped 81.8 million of them. Shipments are shifting away from the European Union into new markets, CGA CEO Justin Chadwick said in the statement. In 2010, 44% of citrus exports went to the EU, down from 52% in 2008. The Middle East and Russia are taking in the difference, according to association statistics. The Middle East represented 22% of exports in 2010, up from 18% in 2008, while Russia took in 12%, up from 9% in 2008. Of the varieties of citrus, oranges showed the biggest gains. Valencias had the largest increase, up to 46.5 million cartons shipped in 2010 from 35.3 million cartons in 2009. Navels increased to 22.9 million cartons from 19.1 million cartons. Lemons increased to 9.6 million cartons in 2010 from 7.7 million in 2009. Grapefruit declined to 12.5 million cartons this year from 13.7 million last year. Source: freshfruitportal.com

Publication date: 11/18/2010

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s Seedless Mandarin Program gets good support at National Conference Sponsoring the Citrus Australia Conference for the second consecutive time, HFA believes it is an excellent opportunity to meet and speak with growers directly about the new seedless mandarin varieties that are available through the program. “Growers are always looking for new varieties and with global trends pointing to seedless mandarins as one of the next crops of value in the citrus game it makes sense for us to showcase our varieties to the growers at the National Conference. We are currently working with five varieties out of two breeding programs, being from Israel and Sicily, to make up the Australian Seedless Mandarin Program with more varieties currently being evaluated. Not only does the Conference allow us to showcase our varieties to growers it gives us the chance to speak to growers face to face about the way we are conducting a coordinated approach to growing and marketing these varieties. Growers like transparency when it comes to variety selection and the approach we have taken by showcasing our varieties at the conference, seeking independent trials and sharing this information with growers illustrates this”, said Craig Perring, Marketing Coordinator from HFA. One variety in particular, Mandalate, received the growers attention as it was on display on the HFA sponsorship stand. “This variety has an excellent marketing opportunity in Australia due to its timing. There is an opportunity for growers to exploit a 3-4 week window at the end of the season - September timing - before grapes and stone fruit come into play, not to mention there is limited imports of grapes at that time of year, which should give growers a free run at selling their fruit with limited competition” Mr Perring added. As HFA is managing the only Australian Seedless Mandarin Program in Australia, where they can offer growers, and consumers, seedless mandarins from the start of the season to the end of the season it is understandable that supermarket chains are getting excited as the first commercial plantings go into the ground this year. Contact: Craig Perring Horticulture Fresh Australia (+612) 9838 1909 Publication date: 11/16/2010

PAKISTAN

Pakistan: Kinnow exports affected by Iranian control Kinnow exports have started this month as more than 500 tons of the fruit were exported to Dubai and Sri Lanka in the first 10 days of November. The kinnow export target for the current year is 260,000 tons, which is only 10,000 tons more than last year’s target of 250,000 tons. The target last year was met successfully. Explaining this slight increase in the export target, Waheed Ahmed, the former chairman of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Importers and Merchants Association, said that kinnow production declines in the year after a bumper crop. The country witnessed a bumper crop last year of two million tons, he informed, adding that production this year is expected to be between 1.6 and 1.7 million tons. He also explained that due to heavy rainfall this year, the size of the fruit is expected to be very large but demand from Europe and Russia is for smaller sized fruits. Despite the slight increase in the export target in light of these facts, the target itself presents a challenge since the Iranian market remains closed this year, explained Ahmed. Iran, along with the Middle East and Far East, is the country’s largest export market for kinnow and almost 40 per cent of exports end up in these markets, he said, adding that Iranian restrictions for its importers are presenting a challenge for kinnow exporters. The Iranian government has not granted permission to its importers yet, he informed and said that the issue needed to be resolved between respective governments. Ahmed said that if the Iranian market remained closed, then the country will lose out on 80,000-100,000 tons of kinnow exports. Kinnow exports to Russia are also expected to halve in volume from last year’s size of 78,000 tons to this year’s expected export of 40,000 tons. Ahmed also said that increasing costs of production have become a problem for exporters. A 30 per cent rise in packaging and transportation costs have meant that prices of kinnows at the start of the season have increased from Rs300 per maund last year to Rs500 per maund this year, he said. Source: tribune.com.pk

Publication date: 11/11/2010

Harvest Tradings

Pakistan: "Remarkable" citrus season expected In Pakistan citrus fruits are the most important crop grown on the area of 160,000 hectares. Citrus fruit is grown in all four provinces of Pakistan but Punjab produces over 95% of the crop because of its greater population, favorable growing conditions and adequate water. Citrus is divided into different groups Sweet oranges, Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lemon and Lime which are being grown commercially. Kinnow known as the mandarin is mainly grown in Punjab Pakistan and to a lesser extent in north Indian states. Pakistan is the 6th largest producer of Kinnow and oranges in the world. The Kinnow season starts in November and ends in March, a longer picking season than any other citrus variety. It is consumed direct as a fruit as well as juice. The soil and climatic conditions in Pakistan have given ‘Kinnow’ a unique flavor which distinguishes it from other comparable cultivars grown around the World. The world market for citrus is expanding. The juicy Kinnow is a unique hybrid of two varieties of California oranges. It has a soft skin which is easy to peel and has a lovely fragrance

Harvest Tradings-Pakistan owns land in Distt Sargodha, Punjab and produce Kinnow as well as other varieties like Early Fruiter, Musammi on 75 acres. Pakistan produced 2.1 million tones of citrus last year whereas crop for the ensuing season is estimated to be 10-15 percent less, though the fruit size is expected to be bigger and crop healthier. Crop condition is good due to favorable weather and decline of 10 to 15 percent as compared to last year would be offset by the good quality of the fruit as per the spokesman of Harvest Tradings. Contact: Mr. Malik Farooq Azam Harvest Tradings District Manager-Marketing & Business Email: farooq.azam@harvesttradings.com Web: http://www.harvesttradings.com, http://www.harvesttradings.asia Publication date: 11/3/2010 Author: Nichola Watson Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

INDIA

India: Climate boost to pest-free orange Orange growers in the hills are expecting a good season this year with production going up because of adequate rainfall and bright sunny days that kept pests away. “We had a bad season last year as the fruits fell from the trees prematurely because of fungal attacks. The oranges were also damaged by insects. But this time, with favourable climate and adequate rainfall in the hills, we expect a good season,” said Narbahadur Limbu, a grower from Bunkulung in Mirik. There are around 350 orange growers in Mirik busty, Orange villa, Nagri and Magarjung villages in Mirik block, and the area is one of the major orange suppliers for the plains, said Limbu. “The fruits start flowering in March and the oranges mature after Diwali, by the end of November. There are around 120-125 orange plants in each orchard measuring 1-1.5 acre. Last year, the highest price at which an orchard was booked was Rs 10,000. But this time, the farmers are getting around Rs 50,000 for an orchard,” said Limbu, who is also the co-ordinator of the Farmers’ Coordination Committee. Traders at the Siliguri regulated market, from where the fruit is supplied to the state and also to neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Nepal, are hopeful. “The season usually starts from the first week of December and continues till the first week of February. Oranges usually reach the market by November end. But this time, it has already started arriving and we are expecting good business,” said Tapan Saha, the president of the Siliguri Regulated Market Fruits and Vegetables Commission Agents Association. There are 60 members in the association involved in orange trade. Mehfuse Ahmed, the assistant director (plant protect division) of the district agriculture department, said: “Adequate rainfall was recorded this year and bright sunny days and favourable temperature at night (between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius) have helped the fruits grow in time. The weather condition is perfect to protect oranges from fungal or insect attacks. Powdery mildew, a fungal infection, and attack of fruit flies are some of the common hazards that damage the crops at a premature stage. But a good climate has helped the fruits to develop better this time.”

Source: telegraphindia.com

Publication date: 11/9/2010

KOREA

Korean persimmon harvest season begins Daebong persimmons are ready for harvest. There has been a lot of rain this year and fewer sunny days which made farmers nervous about the harvest. But it is looking good this year and farmers are busy hand picking the fruit before it gets frosty. Korea has been exporting this sweet citrus since the late 1990s. In 1999 the volume exported was 1,800 tons rising to a record 9,700 tons last year. Persimmons are exported to South-east Asia, US and Canada. The main variety exported is Buyu. The main producing area is Gyeongsangnam-do where 90% of the exported fruit comes from. This area has a fairly constant seasonal climate. Other counties such as China, Israel and New Zealand have been exporting persimmons for years, but the Korean fruit is becoming recognised for its high sugar content, crispy taste and small size. Publication date: 11/18/2010

EGYPT

Egypt: Citrus volumes down, better sizes available Quality has been good concerning the citrus fruits at AgroEgypt this season. The volume is down 10% on last year but the Orange sizes are much better."Weather changes didn’t affect citrus production too much," explains Ahmed Ghallab, Marketing Manager at AgroEgypt, "but it made our season come 10-15 days early. It did affected other products, mainly vegetables like green beans and green onions causing a lot of losses in those products."Mr Ghallab says that the company expects to increase sales volume by about 25% by opening new distribution channels. AgroEgypt is one of the main companies in Egypt in exporting Egyptian citrus, with an experience more than 10 Years in that field. The company has its own strategy in exporting Egyptian citrus which gave it the opportunity to expand its market to all over the world. AgroEgypt's main citrus markets are Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and Mauritius."We are planning to expand our markets to new markets in Africa and Asia like Indonesia, Bangladesh, South Africa, Sudan, Kenya, Mauritius, Seychelles etc." said Mr Ghallab.Citrus season starts at the beginning of December till end of April, with Navel oranges from December till mid February, Balady oranges available from beginning of January till end of February. The Valencias are available from February till end of April and lastly lemons are available from December till mid February. Contact: Ahmed Ghallab AgroEgypt Tel: +239121920/21 Fax: +20100840145 Mob: +20105411196 Email: a_ghallab@agroegypt.com Skype:ahmedghallab www.agroegypt.com

Publication date: 11/17/2010 Author: Nichola Watson Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

ITALY

Italy: Agrusib are back with an extended season Agrusib, the Calabria-based agricultural cooperative, restart with early and late varieties of clementines to overcome the crisis.Agrusib is formed by 50 members, with about 200 hectares of land in southern Italy and an average annual production of 3,500 tons of clementines and oranges. The main destinations are the domestic market and international market, in particular Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Russia.After the creation of the brand Sibarina, the cooperative is investing resources and energy on new varieties of clementines: "Spinoso", an early cultivar, and "Hernandina" and "Tardivo", two late cultivars, in order to extend the sales from October to February. Spinoso clementines "The lack in product innovation is the main cause of the lack of profitability in citrus business" says Domenico Oriolo, citrus grower, agronomist and chairman of Agrusib. "For many years we have worked with the same variety: the "Clementina Comune", a good cultivar but with a limited period of sale, which rarely exceeds 2 and a half months. The Calabrian citrus suffers a certain backwardness in terms of variety. For this reason we are investing in new cultivars in order to be present on the market and be competitive" says Oriolo.

Spinoso The plant is cultivated with planting density 5x3. The plans can acheive a density of up to 650 trees per hectare. The plant has a great vigor and high productivity and can guarantee an average yield of 100 kilos of fruit (with peaks of 150 kilos and more) and 300 hundred kilos per hectare. The shape of the fruit is round, slightly flattened at the poles; the average weight is 100 grams, with thin peel, orange flesh and easily separable segments. This clementine has a sugar content of 10.5-11 Brix degrees. Hernandina e Tardivo They are two medium-late varieties that, thanks to size, pigmentation of the flesh, easy peeling, high productivity and rapid entry into production, are gaining ground in the traditional growing areas of clementine. They ripen between January and February. "We are working with these cultivars, but it will take some years before we have a significant volume to be competitive on the market," says Oriolo. Clementina Comune of Calabria region The plant is similar to that of the tangerine, although this is a graft on bitter orange. The leaves are lanceolate, the flowers are single or grouped but very sweet-smelling. The fruit is spherical, slightly flattened at the poles. The skin is thin, smooth, orange and easy to peel. The pulp is juicy and aromatic. The fruit is divided into segments, such as tangerine, but it is seedless. The sugar content is 13-14 Brix degrees. It is harvested once a year from November to January. Package Three package solutions are used by the cooperative: corrugated cardboard, with a capacity ranging from 3 to 10 kilos, in which the product is placed in bulk; double layer cardboard, where the product is with or without leaves; recyclable plastic box in which the product, without leaves, is placed in bulk. The plastic box is used primarily for export. Exclusively for the Italian Big Retail there are 2 kilos net bags. corrugated cardboard with Spinoso clementines Contact: Domenico Oriolo Società agricola cooperativa Agrusib Contrada Cafasi 87011 Cassano allo Jonio (CS) Tel.: +39 335 8015474 Tel.: +39 340 9150410 E-mail: info@sibarina.it Web: www.sibarina.it Source: Giambattista Pepi

Publication date: 11/16/2010 Author: Maria Luigia Brusco Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

MOROCCO

Interesting season for Moroccan citrus After an exceptionally good start of Moroccan Clementines with good prices, especially on the Russian market, demand completely collapsed, according to Jan van der Voort of Anaco Greeve, Holland. According to him the cause of this is a little unclear, but an early start was made because of a good market for mandarins of the southern hemisphere, which could be one of the causes. The Clementine season started 2 or 3 weeks earlier." Compared to last year 20,000 tons more were already exported" as per January. "Also the light colour of the new varieties, which are also said to be less tasty and the mild temperature for the time of the year in Russia could play a role." He says, that prices decreased dramatically. Markets for Morocco remain the same with the most important ones being Canada and Russia. Jan says, that imports increase every year. He said that in Russia there are far more customers because of the disappearance of important players such as Sunway, which means that there will be more mutual competition. "In addition a direct container link has been started this year between Agadir and Saint Petersburg. Each week about 200 containers are being shipped." Furthermore Morocco export a lot of citrus to the traditional countries in Europe. "At the beginning of this season they emphasized the Netherlands with all consequences. Also for a few years now they have started with the Far and Middle East" according to Jan. He says, that the Moroccans go on investing. New packing stations are being built and new estates developed especially around Agadir, where many mandarin varieties such as Afourer and Nadorcotts are being planted. It is of interest that, according to him, no oranges are being planted. "Unfortunately not much is invested in Berkane, as a result of which the quality of the fruit is not always reliable. If they would do the same as in Agadir it could be a different picture all together." according to him. "As far as taste is concerned they remain the very best." "It will therefore be again a very interesting citrus season and it is hoped, that they will deal with the present market situation in an intelligent manner" he concludes. For more information: Jan van der Voort Anaco Greeve 666, ABC Westland 2685 DH Poeldijk Tel.: +31 174 21 02 00 Fax: +31 174 21 39 79 www.anacogreeve.nl E-mail Publication date: 11/12/2010 Author: Gerard Lindhout Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

ISRAEL

MTEX leads with JAFFA branded citrus With more than 8,500 hectares of agricultural holdings, Mehadrin Tnuport Export (MTEX) is Israel’s largest grower and exporter of horticultural products. Its band of dedicated growers produce 110,000 tonnes of citrus a year and around 70,000t of other fruit, vegetables and potatoes. The company is the leading supplier of the world-renowned JAFFA citrus, representing more than 65 per cent of all sales of the brand that has given Israeli citrus an added identity with consumers for more than half a century. The company is part of The Mehadrin Group, which also has interests in companies that specialize in salad vegetables, mangoes and pomegranates. MTEX has branches in Sweden, France, Holland and England that operate with a large degree of autonomy, which enables them to use the best service available in their local region. Clearly, citrus is a very important product for MTEX and the Israeli season spans the entire European winter and spring, running from September right through to June, taking in pomelos, grapefruit, easy peelers, Navel, Valencia and Shamouti oranges. One of the major issues for Israel as a country is an acute shortage of water for both human consumption and agricultural use. All fresh water is, understandably, earmarked for human consumption, so growers of fresh produce have to be innovative to ensure that they have sufficient recycled water to irrigate their crops. MTEX operates 17 wells and recycles water in hill and coastal aquifers, giving its growers access to some 15 million cubic meters of recycled water for their orchards and the other agricultural areas. There is a secondary benefit to the wells, as the company also provides the Israeli government with millions more cubic meters of drinking water each year for home consumption. MTEX is still in the early stages of its new season, but already the signs have been promising. An extremely hot August has brought all of the crops forward by around 10 days, which has already paid dividends in the grapefruit sector. The production season has been extremely good, the quality of crops is excellent and a very good demand across the board over the next few months is expected. Contact: MTEX Holland Tel: +31(0)180642570 Fax: +31(0)180642571 Michiel Klop & Sander Venema – sales@mtex.nl Contact: MTEX UK Tel: +44(0)2031143030 Fax: +44(0)2031143040 Marius du Plessis - marius@mtexuk.com

TURKEY

Increased marketing of Turkish citrus Citrus Promotion Group was founded in 2007 by the Under-secretary of Foreign Trade Directive to increase not only the domestic but also the international consumption of Turkish citrus products and to optimize marketing techniques. Due to the natural unique taste and finest quality of Turkish Citrus Fruits, one third of citrus production is oriented to export. Regarding 2,6 million ton production and an economic value of 1 billion USD, Turkish citrus sector is of vital importance for the population of 5 million people from Aegean and Mediterranean Regions who directly or indirectly earn their living from it. Citrus Promotion Group aims to promote Turkish products by implementing the trademark process and emphasizing “Turkish Product” image throughout the world. It is accepted by the world that the vitamins and fibres which the citrus fruits contain, have positive effects on human health. "With the promotion campaigns we will hold in the future, we intend to emphasize these features to create a consumption habit in and out of Turkey. This will also help the purpose of creating “Turkish Product” image." Citrus Promotion Group (CPG) aims to constitute and maintain a stable price and competition ground by accelerating promotion and advertising campaigns. Citrus Promotion Group has already had some success. For instance; last year in Russian, CPG held an overseas advertisement campaign which will continue this year. Famous Turkish Pop Star Tarkan had a major role in the campaign, this boosted citrus exports to Russia. Our attempts will go on in coming years in various countries, including Russia, Ukraine and Azerbaijan.” Contact: Taylan Turgay Uzman Yrd. Tarim Subesi Akdeniz Ihracatçi Birlikleri Tel: +90 324 237 68 00 Fax: +90 324 237 71 17 Email: TaylanTuray@akib.org.tr

RUSSIA

JFC suffers 407m Ruble reverse

The vertically-integrated Russian banana multi-national slips into the red after a 6% fall in revenue over the corresponding period in 2009.

Reefer Trends

CUBA

Genetically superior Mandarins varieties are obtained in the island

Dora Pérez Sáez dora@juventudrebelde.cu 6 de Noviembre del 2010 22:13:12 CDT

Ese cultivo se encuentra ya generalizado en más de 20 hectáreas en la empresa Victoria de Girón, de Jagüey Grande, en la provincia de Matanzas.

CUBA Cuba trabaja en la obtención de nuevos cultivos de mandarina, desaparecida de las plantaciones de cítricos del país desde la década de los 80 del pasado siglo, a partir de programas de mejoramiento genético desarrollados por especialistas de la Unidad Científica Tecnológica de Base Jagüey Grande, reveló a este diario su directora, la máster en Ciencias Giselle Sosa.En la instalación, perteneciente al Instituto de Investigaciones en Fruticultura Tropical, se han obtenido esos cultivos que hoy se encuentran ya generalizados en más de 20 hectáreas en la empresa Victoria de Girón, de Jagüey Grande, en la provincia de Matanzas.

La especialista participó en el III Simposio Internacional de Fruticultura Tropical y Subtropical 2010, que sesionó en el Hotel Nacional, con la presencia de más de 130 delegados de alrededor de 15 países.

«Estas mandarinas nuevas, autóctonas de Cuba, por primera vez se caracterizan por ser precoces, o sea, que se adelantan en su período de maduración y de cosecha a las que se sembraban tradicionalmente. Normalmente las mandarinas se daban a partir de octubre y estas desde fines de agosto y septiembre ya empiezan a cosecharse», dijo.

«Además se caracterizan por tolerancia a determinados hongos que afectaron los cultivos de mandarina que existían en la década de los 80.

«El programa de mejoramiento genético en nuestro centro se dirigió desde un inicio a la introducción de material foráneo para adaptarlo a nuestras condiciones. Más tarde nos dimos a la tarea de buscar variedades autóctonas. En esa línea los primeros resultados se alcanzan en la mandarina, pero también tenemos logros en la naranja, en la que buscamos concretamente ampliar el período de cosecha», concluyó.

http://www.juventudrebelde.cu/cuba/2010-11-06/obtienen-en-la-isla-variedades-de-mandarinas-

geneticamente-superiores/

URUGUAY

Citrus sector has 500 companies. Uruguay is getting ready for exporting citrus to the USA.

En la Sala de Conferencias de la Dinara, del Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca, fue difundido el denominado Plan Estratégico y Diseño Institucional para el Sector Citrícola en Uruguay. La presentación estuvo a cargo de los consultores dr. Pablo Caputi y el ing. Federico Montes, autores del trabajo, y contó con la presencia del representante de FAO en Uruguay, Sr. Antonio Morales y del ministro de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca, ing. Tabaré Aguerre.

El titular del Ministerio de Ganadería Agricultura y Pesca-MGAP- informó que la producción citrícola de nuestro país ocupa quince mil hectáreas, la actividad es desarrollada por 500 empresas, de las que hay 16 que ocupan 9 mil hectáreas y que el ministro dijo son "la locomotora del vagón".

Aguerre aseguró que "nosotros vemos para el sector una lógica de inserción internacional diferente, con acceso a nuevos mercados, algunos donde ya estamos con aranceles menores, eso es un tema de negociación entre la Unión Europea y Mercosur".

Pero el avance más importante para el sector sería poder ingresar a Estados Unidos: desde hace 19 años, Uruguay realiza gestiones por temas fitosanitarios, y el jerarca aseguró que "se está cerca de poder conseguirlo". El ingreso de citrus uruguayos a Estados Unidos significaría mayor volumen y también mayor valor del producto, pero para ello aseguró el ministro hay que sortear ciertas limitaciones relacionadas a la calidad de las frutas, mejor sanidad en las frutas. Para ello, explicó Aguerre, ya se ha firmado un convenio entre INIA, Inase y el MGAP, instituciones que tienen que ver con la sanidad fitosanitaria," con ese requisito cumplido hay que avanzar con el sector privado para unificar los criterios de certificación, luego de esto se estará en condiciones de poder acceder a las mejores variedades que son variedades privadas" afirmó el ministro.En este aspecto el jerarca contó que las empresas no sólo quieren cobrar las regalías por sus nuevas variedades, sino que además demandan garantías de que la propagación de las plantas se realice de modo correcto, dentro y fuera del país, garantías que "las políticas públicas se las tienen que dar" dijo el ministro.

http://www.larepublica.com.uy/economia/430359-uruguay-se-prepara-para-exportar-citricos-a-eeuu

COLOMBIA

Citrus: a possibility to consider

LA CADENA CITRÍCOLA en Colombia tiene grandes retos, pero también mucho potencial para alcanzarlos

¿Cómo está el sector de los cítricos y qué hay por hacer?, tema de congreso en la ciudad. El congreso

contará con la participación de conferencistas de Brasil, Estados Unidos, España y expertos nacionales.

Manejo y control de los ácaros y las 14 variedades de cítricos que el mundo está pidiendo, temas de la

agenda Ana María Chica Agudelo | Medellín | Publicado el 27 de octubre de 2010 En procesos de transformación agroindustrial y regulación fitosanitaria Colombia da los primeros pasos. Los desafíos que el país tiene en el sector agrícola se hacen mayores frente a los millones de hectáreas con potencial agropecuario que no se aprovechan. De 10 millones de hectáreas en Colombia solo 4 se usan, de las que 50 mil son áreas sembradas en cítricos. La producción, de 400 a 500 mil toneladas año, propone grandes retos si se compara con países como Perú, que con similares unidades de área, duplica la producción y la exporta, según indicó el gerente de la Asociación Hortifrutícola de Colombia, José Maya García. De experiencias en calidad así como los avances tecnológicos en producción, transformación y comercialización de cítricos se hablará en el Primer Congreso Latinoamericano de Citricultura, que se realizará en Medellín el 1 y 2 de diciembre. En Colombia, explicó el secretario técnico de la cadena citrícola de Minagricultura, Manuel Quijano, está el desafío de mejorar la citricultura en el sentido de calidad y toneladas de fruta por hectárea al año. "El mundo está pidiendo una fruta orgánica, que no tenga demasiados pesticidas químicos en la producción", dijo, para destacar la necesidad de modernizar la cadena. El manejo de plagas y enfermedades también proponen tareas pendientes: no están cuantificadas las pérdidas por ácaros, mosca de la fruta o el picudo de los cítricos y frente a la Diaphorina citri, no reportada en Colombia, se necesita implementar unos planes de choque, dijo el funcionario. A la asociatividad de los gremios la llamó el origen y el inicio de una producción organizada con calidad: "si pudiésemos tener una legislación, unas buenas prácticas agrícolas y unas prácticas de manufactura estandarizadas que generen una sanidad en el producto podríamos garantizar una producción y una comercialización hacia esos países que están demandando". Citricultura en Antioquia En Antioquia la citricultura se ha venido desarrollando alrededor del río Cauca, que, según Escobar, representa el eje central de desarrollo para la citricultura nacional. De las 5.000 a 5.500 hectáreas tecnificadas en el departamento el 80 por ciento se ubica en el suroeste, desde Caramanta hasta los límites con el Occidente, Anzá y Santa Fé de Antioquia y un 20 en el nordeste. Del total de hectáreas, un 60 por ciento corresponde a la naranja valencia, que por su presentación y las características que tiene en dulzura y acidez, está posicionando los mercados internos. El otro 40 por ciento está representado en mandarinas como la Oneco, Tangelo, lima ácida tahití y un pequeño porcentaje de clementinas y toronjas.

De las variedades de cítricos que el mundo demanda, la mandarina ocupa un lugar importante, aseguraron los organizadores del Congreso. Un sector para sacarle jugo. http://www.elcolombiano.com/BancoConocimiento/C/citricos_opcion_para_mirar/citricos_opcion_para_mirar.asp?CodSeccion=188