Producers have "good prospects" ahead of the upcoming citrus campaign, at least according to what was said in the meeting of the citrus sector held on Monday evening by Fepac-Asaja, which confirmed the decline in the production recently forecast by the Regional Council of Agriculture, as stated by the technical secretary of the agrarian organization, Doménec Nàcher.
With the prospect of a smaller harvest volume, it would be logical to expect higher prices. In fact, according to Nàcher, "good prices are already being paid for the early varieties." This trend is already affecting the Clemenules, "with prices expected to oscillate between 0.24 and 0.37 Euro per kilo," even though the start of the harvest is still a month away.
Official prices on the rise
Although the latest newsletter of the València Citrus Market does not reach these figures (its prospect is for prices to oscillate between 0.212 and 0.317 Euro per kilo), there is still a significant increase in the highest price compared to last year's estimate at this point (0.259 Euro per kilo).
But there is another important point in the newsletter. It gives price estimations for four varieties more than last year: three oranges (Navel, Navel lane late, and Salustiana) and a hybrid (Ortanique). This reinforces the perception reported by Castellon producers about the fluidity in the purchases of early varieties in the face of fruit shortages.
Growers consequently have "good prospects" after the disastrous campaign of the previous year, although, as always, "we will have to keep an eye on the sky," said Fepac's secretary.
Source: elperiodicomediterraneo.com
