Chile's Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) reported that this season, clementine and mandarin exports had increased by 3% and 4% over the 2018-2019 season amounting to 41,098 and 38,837 tons, respectively, while lemon exports decreased by 6% totaling 21,413 tons. Orange exports registered the largest decrease with a 40% drop in international shipments over the previous season, totaling 7,896 tons. This decrease was due to the replacement of orange crops for other citrus fruits because of various factors, such as its price and the orange's susceptibility to pests. According to the Regional Director of SAG, Jorge Navarro, “the most important regional products are clementines and mandarins, followed by lemons, which in together account for 93% of regional citrus exports. There was a strong drop in orange exports, but this is not so relevant for our regional exports, as they only account for 7% of citrus exports.”
“The Ministry of Agriculture, in coordination with the SAG, is supporting the export sector by generating opportunities for rapprochement. We have a very fluid relationship with the export sector that has allowed us to know their needs, seeking to open new markets, and looking for ways to develop the sector, despite the complexities that have arisen this year,” stated the Regional Minister of Agriculture, Rodrigo Órdenes. It should be noted that the main market for the citrus fruits from the region of Coquimbo is the United States, as this region sent 90% of its clementines and mandarins to this market this season.