Regarding prices, "they remain similar to last season, because although production volumes are lower, demand is not very strong," explains Florent.
In any case, the lower production has not affected the fruit's quality, which is better than last season.
"At the moment the quality is really good and the latest rains were certainly welcome," says Florent. "We hope that the late rains in December will not affect the fruit, but for now everything is going well."
Eurespa Group works with cooperatives that own production farms in the areas of Turis, Gandia and Alcanar, and that export oranges and clementines, mainly to France, under the "LA GRAPPE" brand.
"Work is also now starting with the Clemenules variety and it will last until February. The quality is good, although as expected in the early stages of the campaign, it still needs to acquire the right colour," explains the exporter. "Demand is just average at the moment, but we expect it to rise throughout the campaign, as the weather gets colder. In the citrus market, cold weather has a strong influence on demand."
For now Clemenules prices remain stable, but unlike last year's bad season, and despite the difficulty of raising prices when they are low, Florent says that this year growers expect to get 5 to 10 cents more per kilo, although "it will depend on market demand."
Faced with competition with Moroccan clementines, Florent affirms that it is "also a clementine of excellent quality. The French market usually demands a lot of Moroccan clementines, as they are popular there. I have eaten them since I was a child."
For more information;
Florent Lucas
Eurespa Group S.L
Avda de Les Corts Valencianes, l’Eliana, Valencia, Spain.
T: +34962725560
florent@eurespa.com