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| Horticultural & Tropical Products Division | Return to the H&TP Home Page |
October 20, 2000
Spain’s Clementine Production Estimated Down for 2000/01
According to the Agricultural Counselor in Madrid,
Spain’s production of clementines in 2000/01 is estimated to
decline by 30 percent from last year. Which is expected to
translate into reduced shipments to the U.S. market. U.S. imports
of mandarins (HS category which includes clementines) from Spain
take place primarily during the winter months of November to
February. These shipments have been rising sharply in recent
years. During the period November 1999 to February 2000, U.S.
imports from Spain totaled 75,966 tons ($82.1 million), up from
the 45,661 tons ($56.5 million) recorded in the same period in
the preceding year. In addition, the U.S. Agricultural
Counselor’s office has reported that Spain’s orange and
lemon production in 2000/01 are both expected to be down by 10
percent compared to last year.
Israel Looks to Import U.S. Vegetables
Israel is issuing licenses to permit the duty-free import of
up to 10,000 tons of specified vegetables through November 10,
2000. The imported vegetables, which include tomatoes, cabbage,
cauliflower, lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, squash, sweet
corn, and melons, are intended to meet the needs of Israelis who
observe Jewish law that the land should lie fallow every seventh
year (the Shmita). Israel had expected these needs to be met by
produce from Palestine, but the recent disturbances have made
imports difficult. Apparently Israel’s PPIS has agreed to
allow shipments of previously restricted U.S. products, which may
create a precedent for regular duty-free shipments in the future.
U.S. Orange Crop in 2000/01 Continues to Recover
On October 12, 2000, USDA released its first estimates of the
2000/01 U.S. citrus crops. Orange production is estimated at 11.9
million tons, up slightly from the 1999/2000 level, and up 34
percent from the weather-reduced crop of 1998/99. The 2000/01
orange production level is still down about 4 percent from the
record level set in 1997/98. Grapefruit production is estimated
at 2.4 million tons in 2000/01, down 4 percent from last year.
Lower production in Florida--from fewer trees and slightly
smaller fruit--is the reason for the decline. Lemon production is
estimated to recover significantly in both Arizona and
California. Production in 2000/01 is estimated at 848,000 tons,
up 8 percent from the 1999/2000 level. Reports indicate that
fruit size and quality are better this year than in recent
seasons. U.S. exports of fresh citrus through July of FY2000 were
valued at $553 million, up 18 percent from the comparable period
in the preceding year.
Mexico’s Fresh Fruit Imports from the U.S. on the Rise in 2000
Mexico’s imports of fresh fruit from the U.S. have
reached $122 million during the first six months of 2000, up 37
percent compared to the same period in 1999. During this period,
Mexico has imported $84 million in apples, $25.5 million in
pears, $5 million in oranges and $2.3 million in fresh
strawberries. During calendar year 1999, Mexico imported a total
of $261 million in fresh fruit with imports from the U.S. valued
at $191 million. Thus far in 2000, U.S. imports make up 66
percent of total fresh fruit imports in Mexico. Chile is the
second largest fresh fruit supplier to the Mexican market.
France Offers Niche Markets for Wide Range of U.S. Products
With a real gross domestic product (GDP) increase of 2.9
percent in 1999, and ongoing socio-economic and demographic
changes, France offers niche market opportunities for U.S.
exporters in a wide range of products. However, the strong
dollar, which has put some pressure on exports to the EU over the
last year, continues to weigh against significant sales increases
for U.S. products. The most promising niche markets include fruit
juices and soft drinks (including flavored spring waters), dried
fruits and nuts, fresh fruits and vegetables (particularly
tropical and exotic), frozen foods, snack foods, tree nuts,
ethnic products, fish and seafood, innovative dietetic/health and
organic foods, soups, wild rice, kosher foods, breakfast cereals,
and pet foods.
New Zealand Organic Exports Soar
According to a survey administered by Trade New Zealand, New
Zealand certified organic exports reached over NZ$60 million
(US$26 million) for the year 1999/00, up 77 percent from the
previous year. Exports to Europe and the United States increased
during 1999/00 while exports to Japan declined compared to
1998/99. Exports of fresh organic fruit have nearly doubled,
reaching NZ$47.8 million (US$20.5 million) versus NZ$23.2 million
(US$10 million) last year.
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