According to different sources in the sector, the Valencian Community will produce just under 3 million tons in the next campaign, i.e. more than 8% less than the 3.26 million tons collected in the 2021/2022 campaign.
According to the same sources, the reduction in production will affect all types of citrus. Orange production could decrease by nearly 150,000 tons compared to 1.64 million tons achieved in the previous year, and mandarin production could fall by nearly 100,000 tons over the 1.33 million tons produced in 2021.
The citrus sector attributes this decrease in production to two fundamental factors. First, production is affected by alternate bearing. But there are less circumstantial reasons, such as the gradual abandonment of arable land, particularly the smallest and least profitable smallholdings."
"As a result, other autonomies that have opted for large production estates, such as Andalusia and Murcia, have eaten up the territory of the Valencian Community," he stated.
This lower output and the cold treatment imposition on South African citrus exports to the EU would lead to an increase in prices. "The African country is diverting part of its production towards Southeast Asia, which would help decongest the European market and increase demand for Spanish orange," the aforementioned sources stated.
Source: elperiodicomediterraneo.com