The regulatory council for protected geographical indicator Citrus from Valencia has announced that volumes marketed under the label last season fell by 30 per cent compared to the year before.
Council president Enrique Blasco blamed the decline on spring frosts earlier this year, but the number of producers registered with the council also fell this past season to 2,098 from 6,208 in 2004. Acreage is also down to 7,227ha from 7,420ha the year before. Blasco was adamant however that the marque itself is not in decline.
"This does not signify a step backwards," said Blasco. "This past season has been one of the most difficult that we have had for decades and our members marketed practically no fruit at all under the label in the second part of the season showing that they want to do things well and protect the prestige of the quality marque."
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