Valencia’s citrus production is set to dip slightly in 2014/15 according to the latest estimates from producer union Ava-Asaja. While easy peeler output is expected to fall by 11.5 per cent, this will be partially offset by a projected 5 per cent increase in orange volumes.
Overall, the association is forecasting a 2 per cent drop in output, largely due to the ongoing drought. In fact, records show that so far 2014 has been the driest year for 150 years.
Early and mid-season mandarins will see the biggest fall, with some areas to the south of Valencia likely to see a drop of as much as 50 per cent. To the north of Valencia, where Clemenules make up the bulk of clementine production, the shortfall is somewhat lighter. Quality is reported to be good and barring the odd hot spell, the relatively mild summer has encouraged a high brix development, indicating that early varieties will be somewhat sweeter than usual for this stage in the season. Size profiles are also better than in 2013/14.
Ava-Asaja said it hoped the lower volume would mean firmer prices for the producer, especially given the sector’s dismal performance in 2013/14. However, the union warned that some supermarket buyers were looking to take advantage of the Russian ban on EU agricultural products to reduce their prices. It warned that the price being paid for early season varieties was 5-10 per cent lower than at this stage last season.
Cristóbal Aguado, president of Ava-Asaja said with growers facing a 20 per cent hike in energy costs because of increased irrigation costs it was “more important than ever that producers stand firm and not bow down to pressure from the supermarkets”.
