While the supply of vegetables or berries has been limited by the impact of the cold, the citrus harvest in Spain hasn't been notably affected.
“There is always a risk of frost and, of course, when we have a cold wave, this risk is much higher; however, at the moment this is not really having an impact. Only the usual areas at risk of frost are affected, but given their volume, the market at origin won't be significantly affected,” says Vicente Mingarro, of Frutinter's Marketing department. "The good thing is that citrus consumption is stimulated by the cold. Furthermore, at low temperatures, the fruit is easier to handle,” he says.
With the exception of the Clemenules, the citrus harvest has started relatively early, although the second season varieties will be harvested at the expected time. However, the ripening this year will make it difficult to export to distant destinations. Those shipments were already limited last year due to a lack of volumes.
“Exporting overseas depends more on the agronomic condition of the harvest than on the quantity. This does not seem to be a good year for overseas exports, especially since the fruit generally has an excessive ripeness index.”
The sector seeks to gradually plant more and more second season varieties, which offer added value. "Given that the consumption of citrus fruits is more and more widespread over the twelve months of the year, there is possibly a production gap to be filled in the final months of the campaign," says the head of marketing at Frutinter.
For more information:
Vicente Mingarro
Frutinter
T: 0034 964 506310
mkventas@frutinter.com
www.frutinter.com