The oranges of the new 2022/23 season are already being harvested in Alicante. "Our warehouse activity is almost 90% focused on oranges, since we usually work directly in the field with lemons and mandarins. Especially with the fruit with leaf," explains Héctor Mallol, commercial director of Naturnar.
"Citrus fruits with leaf are not subjected to any post-harvest treatments. They are harvested and packed in the field, and we ship them directly to our customers, without them going first through the warehouse. In addition to lemons and mandarins with leaf, we also market oranges with leaf, loading considerable volumes every week for traditional markets like the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy, although our citrus is also shipped outside Europe."
"Our main brands, NATURNAR and AURORA, already have a significant presence in destinations such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Malaysia, Singapore and Canada."
Krystel Guerrero Roca, manager of owner of Naturnar, and Héctor Mallol.
Last year, Naturnar marketed a total of 12 million kilos of oranges, in addition to 3 million kilos of mandarins and 4 million kilos of lemons, and this year it expects its volume to grow and reach 25 million kilos. "In February, we acquired new machinery for our facilities, and we have recently received the IFS certification in the framework of the company's commitment to continuing its international expansion."
"This year, moreover, Fruit Attraction has been a turning point for us. Existing commercial links have been strengthened and we are going to develop some new projects," said Naturnar's commercial director.
"The question is whether the markets will accept the price for which we'll have to sell the fruit this year"
The Spanish orange season is starting at a time when Europe has been demanding a lot of large caliber oranges, said Héctor, as what was left of the imports from South Africa and other overseas origins was the fruit of smaller sizes. "For now, there is still no demand for the smaller sizes, but adequate prices are being paid for the larger ones, as all the fruit arriving now has an excellent quality."
"We could say that the prices paid during the last two weeks have been acceptable, and because of the natural market trends, last week there was more pressure to push them down. But everyone should understand that this year has to be different; at no time will we be able to sell fruit at last year's prices," he said.
"Electricity is twice as expensive for everyone, and cardboard boxes, gas, etc. are also pricier. All production costs have gone up."
"Several companies in the area have disappeared because of the losses they had been accumulating for years. That is something that should never happen, and even less so when there is a law that prohibits selling for prices below the production costs."
"From my point of view, I think the demand for oranges won't change. The markets should be aware of the price we growers have to sell the fruit for," said Héctor Mallol. "There should be some kind of regulatory body to which all the companies in the Region of Valencia would be adhered, which would set the minimum production costs and would make sure that no one is selling for prices below that value. But that would require unity and a commitment from the entire sector."
"The regulation of imports should also be considered a vital issue. Fruit should absolutely not be brought from other origins without any kind of control. Spanish producers are asked to meet requirements that do not apply to anyone else, and not just at a national level, but also at a European level."
For more information:
Naturnar
Ctra. Hurchillo Arneva, 1
03300 Orihuela, Alicante. Spain
hector@naturnar.com
www.naturnar.com