Spain’s second-largest citrus production region has revealed a forecast eight per cent decline in volume this season.
Farm minister for the Andalusia regional executive Isaías Pérez Saldaña said production in many parts of the region was down, although it has risen in Cádiz, Huelva and Granada. “Andalusia will produce almost 1.5 million tonnes of citrus in the present season,” he said. “This figure is eight per cent down on last season, but
1.3 per cent up on the four-year average.”
He laid the blame for the decline in volume firmly at the feet of last season’s experience. “This decline has its origins in the 2006-07 campaign, which was strongly characterised by an increase in production and a fall in prices,” said Pérez. The biggest drops in volume are in Córdoba, with a likely 20 per cent decline, Seville, with a 17 per cent fall, Málaga with a 12 per cent drop, and Almería, which is forecast to be five per cent down. Production in Cádiz, Huelva and Granada is expected to show increases of 13, five and three per cent respectively.
Although the drop in volumes is across all varieties, it is likely to be felt most markedly in Navelina, Lane Late and Navel Late. All three have been affected adversely by the continuous rainfall and hailstorms that swept the region in May. Some fields lost 60 to 70 per cent of their yield. Production is forecast to reach 2mt by 2015, Pérez concluded.
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