The first part of the campaign is drawing to a close for the main producers of the Mediterranean basin, “from the Navelines to Lane Late and Nave Late varieties, with a predominance of large sizes this year. The campaign started last month for the juice varieties, with the Salutsiana and we will be switching to the Valencia Late in March,” explains an operator in Perpignan.
Rising prices
“The demand is strong and prices are good,” and these are likely to rise further over the coming weeks. “This is because, despite the drop in production in Spain and Italy, we need to guarantee supply and be able to fill our programs.”
This situation has been benefiting Egypt. “Normally, Egypt has little presence on the French and European markets but this year, the drop in production is forcing the sector to turn to other origins. Faced with this new demand, Egypt has been taking advantage by raising its prices.”
Brazil reshuffling the cards for juice varieties
“Brazil buys everything and sets the price,” according to an operator interviewed in Perpignan. Brazil is the world's largest producer of juice oranges, but this year’s drastic drop in production (due to weather phenomena) has forced the sector to find alternatives. “Normally, an orange bought in the field in Spain costs 13 eurocents [0.14 USD], but today they are bought at 44 cents [0.48 USD].”