Israel faces challenges in citrus fruit exports to East markets

ISRAEL – Israel’s citrus season for 2024 has kicked off on a positive note, but concerns linger about how extended shipping routes around Africa will affect fruit quality.

The Suez Canal’s operational issues force exporters to reroute, leading to longer transit times. Rafi Zuri, citrus product manager at Galilee Exports, emphasized the situation: “Until now, we shipped most of the grapefruit to Europe. From now on, we are starting to ship to the Far East.”

“This is a challenge, because the Suez Canal is not functioning. We have to make longer shipments around South Africa, which takes 50 to 60 days.”

Zuri noted that current prices for grapefruit are not as high as in previous years, primarily due to competition from South African exports.

“Prices are not that high because there’s still grapefruit from South Africa in the market. The pace of sales is regular. We send almost everything to Europe,” he stated. The grapefruit season began in week 39, with shipments starting at the end of September.

While grapefruit exports are expected to match last year’s volume, the yield for Orri oranges is projected to be lower.

Zuri explained, “Our two main citrus products are grapefruit, which will generally be more or less like last year, and Orri, which for this year has a yield that is lower than last year. The expectation is for lower Orri exports.”

The market for Orri oranges also depends heavily on the Spanish crop, as Spain competes with Israel in this segment. Typically, Israel begins shipping before Spain, which may create a favorable window for Orri exports in late December.

With the lengthy voyages around Africa, Israeli exporters are focusing on packing and preserving the quality of their fruit.

Zuri elaborated on the adjustments being made: “This season, the shipping companies take a straight route around Africa, but it’s still a longer voyage. We put a lot of focus in the pack houses to ensure the best quality citrus fruit for these destinations”.

“It’s a major market for us; last year we were hit badly, a lot of fruit was delayed. It remains to be seen how the fruit will arrive. Hopefully, it will arrive in good condition for us to declare the exports a success in the East.”

Growth in fresh produce exports

The Israeli fresh produce industry is an impressive mix of tradition and modern technology. Renowned for its advanced agricultural practices, Israel continues to grow its status as a key exporter despite harsh climatic conditions and limited water resources.

The use of innovative irrigation systems, greenhouse cultivation, and even robotic harvesting methods boosts efficiency and yields.

In 2024, the fresh produce market in Israel is valued at approximately USD 6 billion, with projections to reach USD 7.40 billion by 2029.

Major exports include citrus fruits, mangoes, avocados, grapes, pomegranates, tomatoes, and carrots.

Government support plays a significant role in this growth, with initiatives and financial aid helping farmers adopt cutting-edge technologies and improve production capabilities.

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