Japan: Citrus Annual
Japanese production, consumption and imports of mandarins are forecast to decline further in MY 2014/15, as farmers continue to exit and consumers substitute other fruits and sweets for mandarins. However, increased access to the U.S. market could improve Japanese mandarin export prospects in MY 2015/16. While overall numbers remain small, increased Japanese lemon production reveals underlying consumer preferences and shifts within Japanese citrus production. The impacts of citrus greening disease in Florida, tight global fresh orange supplies, a weaker yen and increased competition from substitutable products for Japanese consumer dollars should drive grapefruit, orange, and orange juice imports lower in MY2014/15.
