The second part of the clementine and mandarin campaign is starting earlier this year due both to earlier ripening and to this year's quality issues with the Clemenules, the dominant variety in the first part of the campaign. A lower mandarin supply is expected in the coming months, so if good consumption levels are achieved, we should expect satisfactory commercial results.
"The abundant rains this fall in the main growing areas, especially in Valencia, Castellon, and the south of Tarragona, caused a severe drop in the Clemenules supply. Although the commercial results have been acceptable, it has been really challenging to work with this variety in terms of quality," says Carlos Echeveste, of Grupo Frutaria.
"In fact, the Clemenvilla variety is being harvested 15 to 20 days earlier because of the gap in the Clemenules supply due to quality issues, although truth be said, in the Valencian Community, early harvesting helps protect this variety from Alternaria, which has been notably aggressive this year," says Echeveste. "Therefore, we expect the Clemenvilla sales to also finish earlier."
The Tango and Nadorcott mandarins are also being harvested earlier. "The production of these varieties is going to be smaller this season, as in 2023 there was a large production and the fruit stayed longer on the trees, causing stress that has had a direct impact on the yields of the following campaign. The good thing is that this year there are fewer pieces per tree and it has rained a lot this fall, so in general, calibers will be better," he says.
According to Carlos Echeveste, we don't expect an abundant supply of mandarins in the coming months in any of the producing areas. "Commercially speaking, this makes us foresee a good season in the first months of the year. Normally, from January 3rd onwards, citrus consumption soars, as people are trying to save and eat healthier after the excesses of Christmas."
In the citrus category, Frutaria is mainly specialized in clementines and mandarins. Right now, the main varieties are the Clemenvilla, Tango, Sigal, and Orit for the European markets and the Ortanique for overseas. They also work with oranges to a lesser extent, at this time mainly with the Navelina and Salustiana. "Our motto is that 'mandarins are to be eaten and oranges are to be drunk', that is why we are more committed to citrus fruits that are easy to peel," says Echeveste.
"The orange production has recovered compared to last year, but the fruit is generally lacking in terms of size. For the Navelina, sizes 4, 5, and 6 are the most common, while for the Salustiana, which already tends to be smaller, sizes 6,7, and 8 abound," says Echeveste.
"After a start with commercial complications due to the delays of South African oranges, which have been especially noticeable in the European wholesale markets, now we have to see how the market will be affected by the Egyptian supply, which is already starting to arrive and has an increasing share of the market. In fact, Egyptian fruit has been taking market share away from Spanish exports, even in countries such as Brazil and Canada," he says. "Furthermore, we must not forget that the conflict is still raging in the Red Sea."
Although stone fruit is the mainstay of Frutaria's business, especially in the spring and summer months, in the fall and winter the company focuses on citrus, whose main destination in Europe is Germany. Overseas shipments are also made to Brazil, Canada, and South Africa.
For more information:
Carlos Echeveste
Frutaria
Tel.: +34 976 469 459
Tel.: +34 606 69 87 32
[email protected]
frutaria.com