Chile’s Port of Coquimbo Launches 2026 Citrus Export Season
According to media reporting from Frutas de Chile, the 2026 citrus export season officially began at the Port of Coquimbo. This marks the third consecutive year of regular container service supporting Chilean citrus exports from the region. Terminal Puerto Coquimbo noted that the service is expected to operate weekly through the end of June, supporting regional exporters with direct refrigerated shipping capacity during the peak citrus export window.
The launch comes amid expectations for a strong Chilean citrus season. According to the Chilean Citrus Fruit Committee, Chile exported approximately 444,000 MT of citrus fruit in 2025, up 11% from the previous season. Mandarins are expected to lead projected growth this season, followed by clementines and lemons. The United States remains the primary market for Chilean clementines and mandarins, while Japan continues to be a key destination for lemons.
Industry and government officials highlighted the importance of coordinated public-private collaboration to support exports and maintain phytosanitary standards. Regional authorities noted that efforts to address fruit fly concerns are being strengthened through cooperation among exporters, the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), logistics operators, and port authorities.
South Africa Becomes World’s Largest Citrus Exporter as Flooding Threatens 2026 Crop
The Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa (CGA) recently announced that South Africa narrowly overtook Spain in 2025 to become the world’s largest citrus exporter by volume, shipping a record 204 million 15kg cartons (approximately 2.9 million MT). The CGA additionally released its 2026 Industry Statistics Report, providing a detailed overview of the sector’s production, export, logistics, and market performance during the 2025 season.
CGA attributed the milestone to sustained investment in orchards and production technology, improved logistics performance, and collaboration between growers, government, and the broader supply chain. They also noted the achievement supports the industry’s long-term target of increasing exports to 260 million 15kg cartons by 2032, while expanding market access in destinations including the EU, U.S., India, and China.
At the same time, severe flooding and high winds across South Africa’s Western and Eastern Cape regions have created significant challenges for the current citrus season. Early assessments indicate that certain local crops may be reduced by 10-12%. Industry groups are still assessing the full extent of the damage, while washed-out roads, power outages, and logistics disruptions are complicating the movement of fruit to ports during the peak export period.
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