The organisation is forecasting exports will total 3.2million-3.4m tonnes of oranges and clems with earnings expected to reach 2.2m euros. This is a seven per cent increase year on year and is expected to be mirrored in supplies onto the domestic market also.

According to the association's outgoing president José Gascó, production will not 'break any records, but exports will,' he was reported in Valencia Fruits last week commenting on the new season.

Increasing exports to eastern European countries will account for a sizeable chunk of the growth especially as these nations become new members of the European Union. 'We expect that the growth in these countries will be two or three percentage points above that of the European average,' Gascó was reported.

Intercitrus also attributes some of the growth to increasing consumption as a result of its promotional efforts over the past five years.

Topics