The fact that the orange market has so far had below-average returns for producers is nothing new. This situation has been going on since the beginning of the campaign, but it is not always the case, according to a wholesaler who operates in the north of Italy and produces in Sicily.
"Many factors contribute to this situation, first of all the size of the fruit, which is not large. The largest oranges fetch good prices in the north of Italy, even 1.20-1.40 €/kg, but most of the lots are of smaller sizes and do not reach reasonable prices," said wholesaler Daniele Di Mauro, specialized in organic production.
Not to mention that producers are suffering the most because the weather conditions have caused significant product waste, so yields in the field are lower than normal. With less product, low calibre and low prices, farmers are unable to earn a decent income.
"Organic farming, on the other hand, deserves a separate discussion. The demand for organic citrus fruit is high, with sale prices good enough for an adequate profit. Demand for organic citrus fruits is growing slowly, but this gives us the opportunity to keep moving good volumes of product," concluded Daniele Di Mauro.