The agrarian organization Asaja Cordoba stated that nearly 85% of the oranges in Vega del Guadalquivir have been harvested so far. They also said the rate of sales had been slower than expected in this campaign, which has slowed down the harvesting rate, and that prices had remained stable throughout the season.
The campaign is currently in its final stretch, focusing on late varieties such as the different Valencias (Delta, Late, Barberina), Powell, Barfield, and in the white group for the industry. Prices are stable and range between 0.38 and 0.46 euro for the different fresh Valencias and between 0.15 and 0.16 euro for the industry in the last session of the Citrus Market of Cordoba's Chamber of Commerce.
The harvest has been slower than expected, mainly because of the lack of commercial activity in many parts of the campaign. 15 to 20% of the fruit in the Vega de Guadalquivir still needs to be harvested, at a time that the market increases its supply of citrus fruits from third countries, such as Egypt. "This fruit competes with our country's production by having lower production costs, labor and phytosanitary requirements, as well as a lower fruit quality."
Finally, producers expect to achieve a similar or lower production level in this campaign than in the previous one. Asaja Cordoba already told the Junta de Andalucia that the estimates for Cordoba's production were higher than the reality. In fact, production forecasts are even lower than in the previous year because of the low calibers in Navelina and in Salustiana.
For more information:
Asaja Córdoba
Tel.: +34 957 480 600
asaja@asajacordoba.es
www.asajacordoba.es