Citrus export down due to January freeze spells

The cold spell that hit Israel mid-January destroyed one-third of the lemon and orange crop
 
Citrus production in Israel is forecast at 580,000 tons, an 8% decrease compared to the previous year. The lower harvest was a result of the cold spell that hit Israel mid-January 2008, which destroyed about 50,000 tons of citrus. About one-third of the lemon and orange crop were destroyed.
 
The annual lemon crop will amount to only about 35,000 tons, or 65% of last year's. Out of the total production, approximately 165,000 tons is expected to be exported (5% decrease compared to the previous year), 296,500 tons to be processed (15-20% decrease compared to the previous year), and the remainder consumed fresh.