Spain: Valencia's citrus production expected to increase

According to Valencian growers, this year's citrus campaign has started with normal production levels, if slightly delayed.

Harvest volumes in the Region of Valencia for the 2013/2014 campaign are expected to reach 3,256,044 tonnes, according to the Council of Agriculture; an 8% increase compared to the previous season. With this increase in production, and unless the weather prevents it, the sector believes that the markets' demands will be met and that decent prices will be reached, because the fruit's quality is good and the rains in August have resulted in larger calibres.

In this sense, the professional agricultural organisation LA UNIÓ demands common sense from all members of the citrus production chain to ensure a smooth development for the campaign and that all pertinent inspections are carried out, both in warehouses and the plantations, to prevent certain commercial operators from starting the harvest before the fruit has reached its optimal colour and is sufficiently ripe for commercialisation. Lack of adherence to the right standards in the beginning of the campaign can have a very negative effect later on.

At the moment the market is very quiet, except with the earliest varieties and mandarins of the best size and quality. Prices so far are similar to last year's around the same date, with the exception of the Naveline and the Satsuma Okitsu, which are slightly lower. Traders are still waiting to see what the international market trends will be. Meanwhile, growers expect an improvement of prices this season.