Peru's mandarin exports through week 27 (ending July 4) are down 43% compared to the same period last year, according to ProCitrus CEO Sergio del Castillo Valderrama. El Niño is the primary driver, delaying the fruit's color development without preventing maturity — meaning fruit that is ready to eat isn't reaching export readiness on the usual timeline.
This is a significant escalation from the previously reported 20% overall citrus export decline out of Peru. Mandarins specifically are taking a harder hit, and the timing is critical — summer is when domestic U.S. mandarin supply is thinnest and import programs carry the category.
Buyers managing summer citrus programs should flag this as a potential availability and pricing issue. With domestic U.S. citrus also facing heat stress and the California lemon gap already reported, the broader citrus supply picture is tightening across multiple origins.