Mediterranean citrus trade body the Comité de Liaison de l'Agrumiculture Méditerranéenne (CLAM) has confirmed production in the category across the region is in decline, with output falling significantly in many key supplier countries.
According to the group, which held its annual general meeting in Madrid, Spain, last week, total production in Mediterranean nations is estimated at 18.7m tonnes, down 16.7 per cent on the two-year average.
This year's Spanish citrus crop was estimated at 5.6m tonnes, down 25 per cent on last year's 7.5m tonnes, while Morocco's production is expected to fall from 1.9m tonnes in 2011/12 to 1.5m tonnes.
Production in Turkey and Italy is also predicted to decrease in 2012/13.
Combined exports throughout the Mediterranean region are set to be down as well at approximately 7.2m tonnes, with shipped volume of oranges due for a slight rise by 1 per cent and soft citrus, lemons and pomelo all forecast to fall, by 10 per cent, 16 per cent and 10 per cent respectively.
