Looking at the figures shared by the Consulate of the Lonja de Valencia each campaign, a considerable difference is observed in the prices of Navel oranges and hybrid mandarins compared to those recorded last year.
Pending the final balance of the campaign, which will be needed to confirm it, official prospects pointed to a 8.2% drop in the volume of oranges and to the volume of mandarins remaining the same as in the previous season. The lower volume of oranges has been reflected in higher prices, and this is still evident for the last varieties. This week, the Navel Lane Late recorded an average price of 0.360 euros/kilo, and the Navel Powell, Barnfield and Chislett stood at an average of 0.475 euros/kilo, while in the same week last year they cost 0.318 and 0.376 euros/kilo, respectively.
Hybrid mandarins, an important product in the small citrus segment in the second part of the campaign, follow a different trend. The Hernandina currently costs an average of 0.242 euros/kilo, which is 26.5% less than the average price of 0.329 euros/kilo reported on February 20, 2023.
The Orri is, once again, the better-priced hybrid mandarin, despite it also seeing a downward trend. Last year, its price stood at 1.351 euros/kilo, while this year it has fallen to an average of 1.050 euros/kilo; a 22.3% drop.
Lastly, the prices set for the Tango and Nadorcott on February 19 amounted to 0.450 euros/kilo, exactly 51.3% less than a year ago, when the average price stood at 0.925 euros/kilo.
"This development in the prices is due to the high productions recorded by the early varieties, such as the Clemenules and Clemenvilla, since the absence of rain in the fall also meant there were no significant losses, and their campaigns have been extended until January," says a Valencian producer.
To this we must add the excess supply from other countries, including Egypt, Turkey or Morocco, "which are shipping mandarins to Europe at lower prices, forcing Spanish exporters to sell the fruit cheaper in the European market."
"In overseas destinations where Spanish mandarins are exported, such as Canada, there is also a growing supply from those countries. Consequently, some mandarins are no longer reaching those markets and are staying in Europe, making the situation worse," he says.