According to the latest data from the Territorial Directorate of Commerce in the Valencian Community, the province of Castellon's citrus exports from January to September increased by 2.5% YoY to 440.1 million euro. Italy has been one of the main destinations that have driven this growth, increasing its citrus purchases in by 61.7% over the same period of 2021, to a total of 26.8 million euro.
According to La Unió Llauradora i Ramadera, Italy has increased its purchases of citrus abroad, which has benefited provinces such as Castellon, because their production has fallen in the current campaign.
This is the highest year-on-year increase experienced by one of Castellon's citrus main export destinations, as Italy is the region's fifth most important destination. Germany was the main destination market for Castellon's citrus with purchases that totaled 133.9 million euro, i.e. 11.7% more than in the previous year.
It was followed by France, which purchased practically the same amount as in 2021 for almost 83 million euro.
The Netherlands, the third-largest foreign market, increased its imports by 1.6%, bringing the total to around 50 million euro.
The UK was the fourth largest customer with 26.8 million euro and it reduced its demand by 24.8% due to Brexit.
Belgium ranked sixth, behind Italy, with purchases worth 19.4 million euro, i.e. 14.8% less than in the same period of the previous year. The Polish market ranked seventh with a 7.1% decrease in purchases, which totaled 17.5 million euros.
Sweden, the eighth destination for Castellon's citrus fruit, made purchases for 14 million euro (+3%) while Finland, the ninth destination market, reduced its demand by 2.2% to 10.3 million euro.
Finally, the Czech Republic ranked tenth after purchasing 8.1 million euro, i.e. 9.2% less than in the previous year.
Source: elmundo.es