This season's citrus harvest will recover to pre-drought production levels across Malaga province. However, the sector remains on high alert. This follows a devastating 2022-23 harvest where 100,796 tons were harvested. But latest forecasts suggest thresholds that were achieved before the drought will be reached this season. Figures released by the regional ministry of agriculture show 134,070 tons have been harvested in Malaga province, a 33% increase.
Benjamín Fauli, head of citrus fruit for the provincial young farmer's association Asaja: "With mandarins, which are now being harvested, we are expecting significant increases. I am not saying that we are going to have a marvellous crop, but we are coming from a season that was disastrous.”
The largest production comes from sweet oranges, with 55,370 tons forecast to be harvested, 26.2% more than last year's crop. This is followed by lemons with an estimated production of 54,437 tons, 34.3% more than 2022. The biggest increase is forecast for mandarins. The 18,234 tons forecast is a 40.3% improvement on last year's. About 8% more grapefruit is also expected to be harvested.
Source: surinenglish.com