China to be second largest citrus producer

BEIJING, Sept. 18 (UPI) -- China was expected Saturday to produce 15 million tons of citrus fruits in 2004, overtaking the United States as the world's second largest citrus producer.

The China Citrus Institute said Brazil was expected to hold on to its title of largest citrus producer.

China's citrus output has shown growth for the past four consecutive years, reported Xinhua, China's main government-run news agency.

Citrus production in southeast China's major citrus producer, Zhejiang Province, was affected by Typhoon Rananim. However, experts said output should still reach the level of 2003, about 1.8 million tons.