The 2014/15 Italian clementine season wasn't good from the start, and the frost recorded at the end of 2014 and the unstable weather after that put a stop to the production in Calabria.
Ismea data concerning the third week of 2015 report a further decrease in prices due to unsuitable quality standards, especially for what concerns the latest common varieties.
"At the end of 2014, temperatures went down to -3/-4°C in various areas of the Sibari plain. There are orchards in which the fruit is totally compromised."
An operator from Cosenza adds that thankfully, at least the trees weren't damaged that much. Others talk about a negative balance, as "a lot of produce remained on trees and what was sold did not do well at all."
Agronomist Francesco Perri, one of the main Italian citrus experts, says that the clementine season is ending a month early, whereas it should have continued until at least February 20.
The year was quite warm between October and November 2014, so early clementines were 10 days late. Common clementines sold at low prices because of the scarce consumption. "When we thought we were over this awful period, frost arrived."
The damage was different depending on the area. The quality of the produce sold in the past week was rather low, so sales were even slower. The produce damaged by frost had very little juice.
Oranges were a lot less damaged, especially those in the areas that weren't particularly hit by frost.