Australian Citrus

Production | Protected from pests | Availability
Supply and Demand | Delicious and Nutritious
Communication | Future Directions

Availability
Navel and Valencia oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes and grapefruit are grown commercially in the key production areas and are available all year.

Due to the expanse and geological differences across Australia, a wide harvesting period exists for citrus. Navel oranges are available from May through to October and are followed by Valencia oranges, which begin in September and end in April. Mandarin picking generally starts in April in northern Australia and is completed by October in southern Australia.

The Australian citrus industry operates on a southern hemisphere production cycle and this provides opportunities for a competitive advantage to export into northern hemisphere countries as evident in the success of the United States (US) export program. The industry continues to promote best practice in all areas of growing, packing and processing to ensure Australian citrus maintains an image of premium quality product throughout the world.



To pack and retain high quality Australian citrus it is necessary for growers, packing shed staff and transport personnel to ensure fruit is correctly handled through all stages of harvesting, packing, storage and transport.

Many growers and packers have taken the progressive step to quality assure their orchards and businesses to achieve a marketing advantage and improve production efficiency. Quality systems and programs such as Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Europegap and Safe Quality Food (SQF) are commonly applied.