The decline in Spain's clementine and orange production has caused prices at the source to reach very high levels, as well as difficulties in selling them in the markets.
"It has been a tough start for the first clementines and oranges due to their high price and the presence of late fruit from overseas," says Juan Antonio Pons, manager of the Valencian company Pons Redondo.
© Pons Redondo
"In the case of clementines, very high prices have been paid at the source because of the lower crop estimate, especially in Castellon, which is one of the main clementine-producing areas and was severely affected by hailstorms. The market hasn't responded well to this and is generally reluctant to pay such prices," he says.
"There are still large quantities of the early variety Oronules to be harvested due to a lack of demand, and the first Clemenules are also starting to be harvested," says Juan Antonio Pons. "The Oronules variety has also suffered the impact of pests such as spider mites and, in general, it has also had more problems than the Clemenules in the degreening process," he says.
According to Pons, the sale of the first Spanish clementines has been significantly affected by the supply of cheap late mandarins from the Southern Hemisphere. "We are talking about varieties such as the Nadorcott and Tango from South Africa at 1.00-1.10 € per kilo in European markets, with better organoleptic qualities than the Oronules, which are fetching between 1.60-1.70 € per kilo."
© Pons Redondo
The same is true for oranges. "The first Navelina oranges have already started to be harvested in Spain, but their price is really expensive, and it is difficult to compete with the South African Navel and Cambria, both in terms of flavor and price," says Pons. "Nonetheless, the last batches of overseas fruit are expected to be cleared out in the next few days, and the arrival of colder weather should also boost the demand for citrus."
Pons Redondo exports most of its citrus, mainly to France and Belgium, both to wholesale markets, under its brand Penicilina, and to supermarket chains.
For more information:
Juan Antonio Pons
Pons Redondo Group
Plaza de España 17
46760 Tavernes de la Valldigna, Valencia. Spain
Tel.: +34 96 282 06 87
Tel.: +34 669 416 222
[email protected]
