It should have been an extremely good season, but now it is going really badly on the citrus market. Where the price on the local market last year was still between 0.13 and 0.16 Euro, now they fluctuate between 0.01 and 0.02 Euro/kg. Even at that price there are hardly any sales.
Export is also a lot less than expected, according to Abdel-Krim Ouguellit, manager
of the Group Fresh Fruit. The export, for instance, of clementines to Russia, of old the most important export market of Morocco, does not come above 40,000 tonnes. "At this rate we will not reach the expected 180,000 tonnes and most probably will not exceed 115,000 tonnes export of clementines," Ouguellit predicts.
Various things may be mentioned as being the cause. Some varieties were harvested too early because of the high temperatures in October. A shortage of rain resulting in insufficient development of the fruit meaning small in size, which is difficult to export in large quantities. The time is not yet ripe for the market where clementines are concerned. The price of the clementine in Russia at the moment is about 300 dollar/ton compared to 900 or 1200 dollar during the same period of the previous year.
Export is also a lot less than expected, according to Abdel-Krim Ouguellit, manager
of the Group Fresh Fruit. The export, for instance, of clementines to Russia, of old the most important export market of Morocco, does not come above 40,000 tonnes. "At this rate we will not reach the expected 180,000 tonnes and most probably will not exceed 115,000 tonnes export of clementines," Ouguellit predicts.
Various things may be mentioned as being the cause. Some varieties were harvested too early because of the high temperatures in October. A shortage of rain resulting in insufficient development of the fruit meaning small in size, which is difficult to export in large quantities. The time is not yet ripe for the market where clementines are concerned. The price of the clementine in Russia at the moment is about 300 dollar/ton compared to 900 or 1200 dollar during the same period of the previous year.