The high winds of March 8 have caused losses of 70,000 tonnes of citrus in the Valencia region, growers association Ava-Asaja has said.
On average, growers in the region have lost about 15 per cent of the fruit on their trees, although in some areas this figure rises to 25 per cent, mainly due to fruit falling to the ground. The varieties most affected are Navel Late, Lane Late, Valencia Late, Ortanique and Fortuna.
Meanwhile, Spanish citrus growers are set to begin a fresh round of protests on March 30 in response to one of the worst seasons on record, with some prices falling below 50 per cent of cost, according to grower groups.
Producer union Unió-Coag in Valencia is calling on growers to join it in organised demonstrations outside the agriculture office of the Valencian regional executive, next Friday and then on April 12, outside the government’s delegation in the city.
The union is also asking growers to spoil their ballots with the words Yo voto naranja (I vote orange) at regional elections on May 27. “This way politicians will know how many votes they have lost by not solving the citrus crisis,” said Miquel Oltra, deputy secretary of the union.
“We are calling on all citrus producers to take part because our future is at stake and our voice must be heard, at least so that the situation changes for future seasons.”
