Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4
Citrus
Lise Korsten and Peter Taverner
INTRODUCTION
Citrus (
Citrus sinesis
L.) is consumed as a fresh fruit and as
juice, and is widely appreciated for its nutritional value and
excellent taste. It is one of the most commonly produced
(Figure 4.1a) and traded fruit crops in the world (Figure
4.1b), and is therefore of great importance internationally.
Although citrus production exceeds volumes recorded for
the other major fruit crops (i.e. grapes, apples and banana),
it is only the second most important traded crop after
banana. The somewhat robustness of the fruit makes it suit-
able for extensive handling, distribution and storage.
However, due to cumbersome distribution systems and
complex supply chains, citrus fruit is still often exposed
to poor handling, contamination and temperature abuse
conditions, increasing the likelihood of post-harvest decay.
Reducing losses and retaining quality have therefore
become two of the most important challenges facing the
modern citrus industry.
Citrus is indigenous to Southeast Asia (Olsen
et al
.
2000), where it originated in the area between India, South
China and Indonesia (Timmer
et al
. 2003). Today, citrus is
cultivated in the subtropical and tropical regions of the
world (between 40° north and south latitudes), in over 137
countries on six continents (Ismail & Zhang 2004). While
citrus production is widespread, only 15 countries account
for 84% of world production (Timmer
et al
. 2003). Of
these countries, the biggest surface area planted under
citrus (close to 2 million Ha), can be found in China,
while Brazil is the largest producer (22 million tonnes)
(Table 4.1). Other leading producers include the United
States and Mexico (Table 4.1). Globally, citrus is cultivated
on 8 million Ha of land with production volumes amount-
ing to 122 million tonnes (mt) (FAOSTAT 2008).
The most commonly propagated citrus species are sweet
orange (
Citrus sinensis
), mandarin (
C. reticulate
), grape-
fruit (
C. paradisi
), lemon (
C. limon
), calamondin (
C. mitis
),
citron (
C. medica
), wild orange (
C. macroptera
), Kaffir
lime (
C. hystrix
), sour orange (
C. aurantium
), Mexican
lime (
C. aurantifolia
) and pomelo (
C. grandis
) (Manner
et al
. 2006). Some species, such as sweet orange and lemon,
grow best in the subtropics, whereas limes and pomelo are
produced primarily in the lowland tropics (Timmer
et al
.
2003). Oranges are the most important crop in terms of
production (Figure 4.2a) and trade (Figure 4.2b). Fruit are
mainly produced for the local fresh-fruit market, process-
ing (mainly juice and some canning) and to a lesser extent
fresh produce exports (Murata 1997). The main citrus
export countries include Spain, the United States and
South Africa, followed by Turkey and Morocco (Citrus
Commodity Notes 2005; and see Table 4.2). Conversely,
the largest importers of fresh citrus include the Russian
Federation, Germany and France (Table 4.3).
In order to maintain quality, extend shelf life and pre-
vent decay, several production, harvesting, packaging
and trade best practices have to be, and are, followed.
Effective control of post-harvest pathogens include the
management of fungicide resistance, and the integration
of chemical and other alternative disease control options.
Implementing good agricultural practices and following
food safety assurance systems can further contribute to
