Citrus producers in Spain’s south-eastern region of Murcia are anticipating an increase in this season’s harvest of more than 15 per cent in line with similar production forecasts from other Spanish regions, following favourable weather over recent months.
According to figures released by the regional government of Murcia’s department of agriculture, the region’s citrus crop for the 2010/11 campaign is expected to reach 573,210 tonnes, which, if achieved, will mark a 15.79 per rise compared with the previous season.
Among the most notable production increases are an anticipated 22 per cent rise in this season’s lemon harvest to 323,000 tonnes, while the orange crop is likely to reach 167,150 tonnes, 11 per cent up from the 2009/10 campaign.
Murcia’s pomelo harvest is also expected to increase by 21 per cent to 28,260 tonnes, although the region’s mandarin crop is forecast to dip slightly by 4.7 per cent to 54,000 tonnes.
