Crop volumes in Spain’s key clementine production region of Castellón are expected to drop by between 12 to 15 per cent during the coming 2011/12 season, although improved fruit quality and sizing is anticipated.
Early and late varieties are likely to be particularly hard hit by the decrease in production, which growers citing the aftereffects of several frosts last year, as well as expected lower yields after last season’s bumper crop as the main causes.
However, regional association Fepec-Asaja, which released the figures, said the positive side of having a lower crop was that growers were forecasting larger-sized and better quality fruit than last season.
The Valencian province’s orange crop is also, conversely, expected to increase by between 14 and 15 per cent in volume terms, the association said.
