According to forecasts, Almeria's citrus production was going to decrease by 7.6% this season. The decrease, however, stood at 10%, leaving an approximate production of 226,000 tons, also taking into account the entry into production of the new plantations.
It must be taken into account that the province of Almeria accounts for 10% of Andalusia's total production. Within this provincial production, sweet orange accounts for 54% of production, mandarin for 24%, lemon for 20%, and grapefruit and lime for the remaining 2%.
After the high returns achieved in the 2021/22 campaign, prices have remained stable and solid for much of this campaign. The orange was traded on average between 40 and 45 cents, the mandarin between 55 and 60 cents, and lemon prices exceeded 35 cents per kilo.
As in other sectors, the sharp increase in production costs has been a determining factor for the development of the campaign. In this case, the citrus sector's production costs have increased by 50% due to the increase in energy, inputs, fuel, and especially water costs; something that has clearly reduced producers' profits. "The high production costs have stained a campaign in which the quotations have responded to the production volumes obtained," stated Adoracion Blanque, the president of ASAJA-Almería.
"Moreover, the good work carried out by Almeria's citrus growers has favored the control of the main pests and diseases they had to face in the campaign, which is undoubtedly good news for this sector that maintains a constant evolution in plant health."
For more information:
ASAJA-Almería
https://asajaalmeria.org