The current citrus campaign will be remembered not only by producers for the scarce availability of goods and, consequently, for a reduction in profits, but also by the consumers, who, especially in these last few days, find on the fruit and vegetable pallets very high prices for a kilogram of clementines.
"The prices have even doubled in a short time and it is now difficult to find fruit still on the trees. The 2019/20 campaign, which will close more than two months in advance, is to be considered historic, as was the previous one, when, unlike this year, there was an excessive production load and very low prices". So says Domenico Maraglino, citrus grower operating in the province of Taranto.
"For many, the campaign has long since closed, for others, on the other hand, it is about to end, especially for those who have slowed the ripening of the fruit through phytosanitary interventions. Prices are beyond imagination: we have peaks of 1.50 €/kg in the countryside, compared to the low € 0.10/kg of last year".
"The situation is slightly better for oranges, precisely because there has not been a large consumption in the past few months; but let's not forget that the reduction in production also affects this product (around -40% for the tarantino). A good percentage of the product is still to be harvested, but we will have more for a month. However, if there is something that is heartening, it is the quality of our fruits. In fact, this year it is not only the price that is high, but also the size and flavor, all due to poor production".