Spanish citrus production is forecast to fall by 20-25 per cent this season.

According to grower members of Valencia-based producers’ association Ava-Asaja, which surveyed production throughout Spain, fruit quality is very good and pest and disease problems, which hindered last season and led to small sizing, are largely absent.

Production in Valencia, the main growing region in Spain, is forecast by the grower group to reach some three million tonnes, while national production is expected to reach between 4.9mt and 5.32mt.

The main falls in volume are forecast in oranges and, to a lesser extent, in production of late clementines. However, grower leaders warn that these figures could fall further as the impact of abandonment of production brought on by a lack of profitability in the sector is yet to be felt.

Ava-Asaja president Cristóbal Aguado said: “This season might be a little short and there is no objective reason to have a repeat of last year’s ruinous campaign. We all know the minimum costs for each link along the chain and if common sense prevails, we could have some fitting results. This could be even more the case, given that citrus will help in the fight against flu.”

The estimates have led to a jump in prices for early varieties compared to last season, when the campaign started later. Sources in Valencia point out that although the level of pricing at the farm gate is not particularly high compared to levels achieved pre-2008, it does suggest some dynamism in the marketplace.

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