The Spanish citrus season has been affected by a completely unexpected situation this year. The COVID-19 outbreak in March caused the consumer demand for citrus to skyrocket, as they were looking for a source of vitamin C to protect themselves against the virus.
This situation, together with other factors, such as the 15% reduction of the spring harvest, the advance in the arrival of all varieties due to the milder winter temperatures, as well as the cold in importing European countries which gave a boost to the demand, has caused the production season to be practically finished. The sector has also enjoyed fair price levels, which hadn't happened for a long time.
According to Manuel Altava, second vice president of Asaja Sevilla, there are two keys to explain many of the main problems of the Spanish citrus sector, as well as other productive sectors.
"On the one hand, there is a need to continue generating value with the know-how that has made Spain a world leader in the production and marketing of fresh citrus. On the other, all of this will be nothing more than an endless battle for the citrus sector if there is no consistency. Politicians need to make the Spanish economy a predictable, serious and attractive environment for investment beyond the short term," says Altava.
Source: sevilla.abc.es