Increases in production across all the main citrus-producing regions in Spain mean the Mediterranean country is expecting to harvest almost one million tonnes more fruit in 2008-09 than in 2007-08.
In the Valencia region, by far the country’s largest citrus production area, the crop is forecast to reach 3.953mt by the agriculture department of the regional executive. This would make it the fourth-largest crop in the region’s history and in line with volumes achieved in 2004-05, although lower than the crop of 2006-07, both of which proved disastrous for grower returns.
Orange production is forecast by the authorities to rise by 29 per cent on last season to 1.9mt, thanks to a recovery in the Navel group of 30.6 per cent for Navelina, 26 per cent for Navel Late and Lane Late, and a hike in Valencia Late volumes of nearly 43 per cent. Salustiana is also expected to show a rise in volume of 36 per cent on 2007-08.
While overall easy-peel production is expected to rise by 13 per cent to almost 1.8mt, satsumas and late clementines are predicted to show the biggest gains on 2007-08, by 31 per cent and 34 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, in Andalusia, which is becoming an increasingly important citrus source in Spain, the crop is forecast by the regional government to rise by 14.6 per cent on last season to 1.65mt. Production gains are expected across all products, but the biggest hikes are forecast in bitter oranges (23 per cent) and dessert oranges (18 per cent).
Despite the increases, many in the sector are keen to point out that there is no overproduction and are optimistic for the progression of the campaign, especially as quality is good. Co-operative groups report that September and October rainfall has helped boost fruit size and also regulate the harvest, so that producers have not been tempted to pick fruit too early or come on stream with large volumes all at once.
Cristóbal Aguado, president of growers’ association Ava-Asaja in Valencia, said: “If the season progresses well and producers harvest the sizes required by the marketplace, then we should see a fairly viable economic result.”
He added that the whole of Europe should be assured of the fruit in the right size and quality, and that all growers need now is for the weather to be on their side.
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