The first 2018 shipments of Chilean mandarins departed for the U.S. and Canada during Week 28. Consisting of the W. Murcott and Tango varieties, 64 tons were destined for the East Coast and 21 tons to Canada.
The mandarin season might be off to a slower start than last year, but volumes are expected to reach historic highs in 2018, surpassing the 100,000 ton mark for the first time ever. The forecasted volume of 101,000 tons represents a 32% increase over last year (76,373 tons in 2017), and is a reflection of Chile’s continued response to market demand.
States Juan Enrique Ortúzar, Chairman of the Chilean Citrus Committee, “Growth in the mandarin category has been incredible. Just six years ago in 2012 we exported 22,000 tons of mandarins and now we expect exports to surpass 100,000 tons. Our industry made a strong commitment to developing the mandarin category and it has resulted in Chile becoming the main supplier of easy peelers to North America. We continue to invest more resources in R&D and marketing, so we can continue to supply North American retailers with the premium quality they expect and support them in their sales efforts. Our goal is to continue growing in a market that is expanding and where consumption continues to increase.”
According to the manager of the Chilean Citrus Committee, Monserrat Valenzuela, the improving water situation in Chile has been a positive force in mandarin growth. Water reservoirs in producing areas have recovered, contributing to the availability of water for irrigation.
Working with merchandisers in the U.S. and Canada, the Citrus Committee will be running retail promotions from August through October, including everything from digital coupons to in-store sales/display contests, to produce manager incentive programs. Usage images and videos, as well as new point of sale cards and recipe cards, are available for retailers to use, whether in-store or online.
Promotable volumes of mandarins will be available in the U.S. and Canada through October.