An overview of world citrus production in the world is by no means an indication that imports to the United States are coming from those countries that produce the most.

According to the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Brazil led world citrus production by growing 18 million tons in 2012. In order of production behind Brazil in 2012 were the United States (8.1 million) China (6.5), India (5), Mexico (3.6), Spain (2.9), Egypt (2.7), Italy (1.7), and Turkey and South Africa (each with 1.6).

The majority of the summer citrus imported into the U.S. comes from South Africa, Chile, Australia, Spain and Italy, all of which are in the lower production numbers.

But the countries that do export to the United States meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service protocols that are developed to prevent diseases and insects from entering the country.

In addition, citrus fruits from these countries meet the American consumers’ demand for high quality, flavorful and most highly desired varieties during a time when domestic citrus production is in its off-season. And in the majority of cases, they are packaged in ways that appeal to U.S. consumers.

Last year Uruguay joined the ranks of countries that are permitted to export to the United States, made possible by an APHIS ruling last July.

URUD’OR S.A., a leading organization in Uruguay composed of large, medium and small producers for the purpose of exporting fresh citrus fruit, said that the Uruguayan citrus sector planned to ship 8,000 to 9,000 tons of fresh fruit to the United States throughout 2014.

South Africa has a high stake in citrus exports to the United States. According to Mark A. Greenberg, president and chief executive officer of Capespan North America, headquartered in Quebec, quality and volumes of this year’s crop South African crop looks healthy and strong.

“Navel orange sizing could tend to be smaller than last season, especially in the earliest weeks of the season,” Greenberg told The Produce News. “But by all accounts, we should expect to see good volume of very good fruit. Expectations are that South Africa will export 10 to 15 percent more oranges to the U.S. than last season.”

Capespan delivers high-quality fresh fruits from the orchard to its international retail, wholesale and foodservice partners according to requirements specified by its marketing divisions around the world. The company covers more than 60 countries on four continents. It also provides supply service solutions to international fruit trading partners.

Greenberg said that the demand for South African citrus remains strong and is increasing in North America, and the same is true for Chilean and Peruvian citrus.

“We continue to work to convince retailers that the full range of high-quality citrus products deserves prominent shelf space amidst domestic summer fruit,” said Greenberg. “As more retailers realize that summer citrus sales can enhance their businesses and keep customers coming back, the demand for South African summer citrus will grow.”

Australia’s commitment to servicing North America during its season also continues to grow. According to the Global Agricultural Information Network, growing conditions in the country for the 2013-14 season were good for citrus production. The report stated that the fruit was of good size for marketing and external and internal quality was high. Production of Navel oranges is estimated to be 230,000 metric tons, up from 205,000 metric tons the previous season.

Although it is not a major orange-production area, Queensland in Australia’s northeast is the largest Mandarin-producing state. It was hit by a major flood in late January 2013 causing severe damage to infrastructure and the loss of some orchards and trees.

Chile also continues to increase its export business with North America. Karen Brux, manager of marketing and promotions for the United States and Canada for the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association in San Carlos, CA, said that Navel exports to North America grew by 176 percent between 2009 and 2013, while exports of Mandarins and Clementines grew by 110 percent.

“North America is, by far, Chile’s largest market for citrus,” said Brux. “In 2013, 88 percent of all Navels exported from Chile landed in North American, with the continent commanding 98 percent of all exported Mandarins and Clementines.

“In 2013, 57 percent of Navels were shipped to the East Coast of North America, and 43 percent went to the West,” she continued. “In 2013, 71 percent of Chilean citrus imports of Clementines and Mandarins were shipped to the East Coast and 29 percent to the West Coast.