The second part of the Spanish mandarin season is notably ahead of the 2024 campaign, both agronomically and commercially. There's an eager search for mandarins in the fields due to scarcity at this time of year.
"So far, we have already exported more than double the amount of Tango and Nadorcott mandarins than in the same period last year," says Jorge García Monfort, Sales Director for García Ballester. "While last season the marketing of Clemenules was extended to week 6, this year we have already switched to second season varieties, such as the Tango, Nadorcott, Leanri, Spring Sunshine or Safor, in week 52. In fact, a large German chain fully switched to these varieties already in week 51," he says.
"We are talking about a difference of 4 to 6 weeks. This season, there's very little fruit left in the fields that hasn't already been bought and is in the hands of marketing companies," says Jorge García. "And the fact is that the fruit's internal ripening is also ahead because it didn't really get cold until the first week of December."
This has coincided with a period of constant rains in Andalusia, which has made it impossible to harvest for days and put greater pressure on buyers to find fruit in a region that is already being affected by new citrus thrips.
"There's still uncertainty as to how the rains will affect the quality of mandarins in Andalusia, where citrus production is being hit by a pest that is causing significant volume losses. Last year, there was generally a much greater mandarin supply at this time of year," says Jorge García. "There is high demand and an eager search for mandarins in the fields."
As far as competition from third-party origins is concerned, Jorge says that "Morocco's pressure was more noticeable at the beginning, during the gap left by the premature end of the clementines until the arrival of our second season varieties. Besides, Morocco is shipping large quantities to the United States."
"Although Egypt's mandarin production continues to grow every year, I don't think it's going to become as big a competitor as it has with oranges, especially for those chains that prioritize price. Although more and more Egyptian mandarins are hitting the market each season, they are not managing to make an impact on Spanish fruit. Due to Egypt's climate, they have a short window for mandarin production and, furthermore, it will be difficult for them to catch up with Spanish production in terms of quality," says Jorge García Monfort.
For more information:
Jorge García Monfort
Garcia Ballester S.L.
C/ Partida Vintems s/n
12530 Burriana, Castellon. Spain
Tel.: +34 964 571 025
[email protected]
www.garciaballester.es