Citrus Production in 1957

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 97, Issue 3, 15 September 1958, Page 263

Citrus Production in 1957

By

W. A. FLETCHER,

Ci+riculturist, Department of Agriculture, Auckland

IT is estimated that there are now more than 155,000 citrus trees planted in commercial “ orchards throughout the Dominion. Lemons and grapefruit comprise more than twothirds of this total and oranges and mandarins the remainder. Lemon trees predominate in the Bay of Plenty, grapefruit round Auckland, and sweet oranges and mandarins at Kerikeri. Gisborne is a smaller citrus-growing district than the others, with about 10 per cent of the Dominion total of citrus trees, mainly oranges and lemons.

THE exceptionally wet winter and spring, of 1956 adversely affected the setting of the 1957 crop of citrus fruits, especially at Auckland and Kerikeri, and resulted in reduced production from these districts. Grapefruit crops were worst affected and were markedly reduced in Auckland,

where little more than half of a normal crop was harvested. Heavy frosts in June and July in all districts caused losses of fruit, especially lemons, but losses were not serious. There was also some injury to trees and a few newly planted trees were killed. Despite frost losses the production of lemons was substantially greater than in the previous year because of increasing yields from the large number of young trees coming into heavier bearing in the Bay of Plenty and at Gisborne. Reduced production of grapefruit resulted in a better balance between

supply and demand and prices for these fruits were better than for some years. Though the spring of 1957 was cool and spring growth was retarded, a very good setting of all citrus fruits appears to have been obtained for the

coming season. The trees stood up very well to dry conditions from. November 1957 until February 1958 and fruit drop was only slight. Good crops are showing on most trees, and with with many young trees coming into bearing yields of all citrus are expected to be good for the 1958 season.

Planting Trends Citrus plantings. continue to increase in all districts except Auckland, where the steady decline in the citrus industry apparent over the past decade was maintained in 1957. New plantings in 1957 were the highest recorded since 1951, and though there is still a shortage of nursery citrus trees, there are signs that the supply is improving. There is a very strong trend toward planting oranges and mandarins and almost 90 per cent of the 7,200 trees planted out in 1957 were of these kinds. Standard lemons are still being

planted in the Bay of Plenty and at Gisborne, but these are insufficient to replace trees being removed for old age and subdivision of land. Very few Meyer lemon or grapefruit trees are being planted. About 3,900 trees were removed from citrus orchards during the year, and following the trend of the past few years these were mainly lemon and grapefruit trees with greatest losses ,in the Auckland district. Urban expansion was responsible for some losses in Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, but old age and neglect account for many of the removals, especially of lemon trees. Increases and decreases in the numbers of citrus trees recorded during 1957 are tabulated below according to districts and kinds of citrus.

NEW CITRUS TREES PLANTED DURING 1957

Bay of Kerikeri Auckland Plenty Gisborne Total Standard lemons . . Meyer lemons . . N.Z. grapefruit .. 2O 90 llO Wheeny grapefruit Sweet oranges .. 2,160 110 720 320 3,340 Mandarins .. ... 1,360 160 1,500 3,020 Tangelos .... 50 Totals .. .. 3,570 320 2,560 730 7,180

CITRUS TREES REMOVED DURING 1957

Bay of Kerlkerl Auckland Plenty Gisborne Total Standard lemons .. 70 1,460 270 260 2,060 Meyer lemons ■ . . 100 230 10 340 N.Z. grapefruit .. 750 150 900 Wheeny grapefruit .. . 130 20 ■ ' 150 Sweet oranges .. 10 70 260 340 Mandarins .. .. - 30 - 30 Tangelos .... 40 —■ 40 Totals ■ ... .. 110 2,320 880 550 3,860

Future Production A further survey of the fruitgrowing industry of ■ New Zealand is being carried out by the Department of Agriculture this year. Data obtained will bring up to date information on production trends. However, present records indicate production trends for each kind of fruit as given below.

Grapefruit There appears to have been a decline of about 6 per cent in the total number of grapefruit trees since 1953, the losses being almost entirely in the Auckland district. The 1953 survey revealed a high proportion of young trees in the 0 to 10 years age group and indicated that a considerable increase in grapefruit could be expected. Annual production estimates over the past few years, however, give the impression that production is declining. Accurate estimating of the grapefruit crop is very difficult and it is considered likely that these production estimates have been too low. There is no doubt that production of grapefruit is still more than adequate to satisfy the New Zealand market, but crops do not seem to have yet increased to a level that was to be ex-

pected. Adverse weather, especially in Auckland, undoubtedly reduced crops, especially last season, and low prices have resulted in some neglect in many grapefruit blocks which has probably also lowered their production potential. Standard Lemons There was an appreciable increase in the production of standard lemons last season, and as many young trees come into heavier bearing it is expected that the upward trend will continue until a level of about 100,000 bushels is reached within the next 5 years or so. Since 1953, however, there has been a marked falling off in the rate of planting of lemon trees to replace those being lost from old age, and unless the present planting rate of about 600 to 700 trees per year is

trebled, production is likely to decline again after about 1962. Meyer Lemons A large proportion of the Meyer lemon trees are young and capable of bearing increasing crops. However, as many of the trees are interplanted with other citrus trees and the intention is to crop them for a limited period only, a potential yield of about 40,000 bushels of these fruits in-

dicated by present tree numbers will probably never be reached. Already since 1953 there has been a 6 per cent decrease in the total number of Meyer lemon trees. Production of Meyer lemons last season was about 3,000 bushels less than in the previous year, but this was probably only a fluctuation due to adverse weather, especially

in the Kerikeri crops. Yields of Meyer lemons are expected to remain around at least 25,000 bushels for several years. Oranges and Mandarins Whereas lemon and grapefruit production in New Zealand is now sufficient to satisfy local demand during the season, present yields of oranges and mandarins are less than 3 per cent of market requirements. Obviously, therefore, the greatest scope for development of the citrus industry in New Zealand lies with oranges and mandarins. These fruits have been grown in New Zealand for many years, but they require hot summers as well as mild winters to obtain highest quality and there is no doubt that New Zealand’s climate is marginal for their successful production.

Yields and eating quality of fruit from the earlier orange plantings have often been disappointing and this has largely discouraged any serious attempt to capture the local market for these fruits. In recent years, however, evidence has been obtained that certain selections, especially when propagated on the hardy Poncirus trifoliate. rootstock, are better adapted to the climate and produce good crops of a quality superior to the older plantings. As a result orange plantings have increased by more than 30 per cent to a total of more than 40,000 trees over the last few years, and mandarins have increased 120 per cent to almost 12,000 trees.

As long as the present favourable prices for these fruits are maintained it seems likely that this planting trend will continue, and even with trees already planted yields of oranges and mandarins should increase to 50,000 or more bushels within the next 5 to 10 years.

Provided this fruit meets with consumer approval, the quantities expected should be easily absorbed by the local market. As more fruit from the newer plantings becomes available it is vital for the future success of the industry to establish consumer confidence that only fruit of uniformly good quality is marketed. This will require not only good orchard practice but also very careful grading and processing of the harvested fruits. Not all the trees planted in recent years will produce fruit with quality up to a desirable standard and those below standard should, not be allowed to prejudice the success of the better types.

As production increases, market prices for these fruits will almost certainly not continue at their present high level, and on many very small orchards it may become difficult to produce fruit economically. It is pleasing to observe, however, that some growers are endeavouring to build up larger orchard units.

Research into types of orange and mandarin best suited to New Zealand conditions is continuing, but there is much to be learnt. Several promising variety and rootstock combinations are under observation, and growers can assist the future development of their industry very considerably by planting out a few experimental trees of these types, but they should refrain from planting large blocks of such trees until more information is available.

Undoubtedly many production and marketing problems still require solution before commercial orange and mandarin growing can become successfully established on a large scale in New Zealand, and it is emphasised that in the meantime further development should be continued with caution.

Bay of Kind Kerikeri Auckland Plenty Gisborne Total Standard lemons . 3,100 7,000 63,100 11,000 84,200 Meyer lemons Kerikeri 3,100 . . 8,000 Auckland 7,000 1,100 Bay of Plenty 63,100 7,100 Gisborne 11,000 5,200 Total 84,200 21,400 Total lemons . 11,100 8,100 70,200 16,200 105,600 ' —- ■ N.Z. grapefruit . . 12,000 35,000 37,000 1,700 85,700 Wheeny grapefruit . . 12,000 3,000 35,000 1,600 37,000 1,000 1,700 700 85,700 6,300 Total grapefruit . . 15,000 36,600 . 38,000 2,400 92,000 Sweet oranges 6,000 900 3,000 3,000 12,900 Mandarins .. 1,000 1,000 800 100 2,900 Other citrus . . 6,000 1,000 200 900 1,000 500 3,000 800 3,000 100 12,900 2,900 700 — — ,700 Total citrus . 33,300 47,100 112,000 21,700 214,100

ESTIMATED PRODUCTION OF CITRUS FRUITS DURING THE 1957-58 SEASON IN STANDARD CASES (APPROXIMATELY 40 LB. NET)