In the 2023-2024 season, Spanish citrus exports exceeded imports by 2,509 million euros, despite a yield drop due to adverse weather conditions. Spain continues to be the world's leading trader of fresh citrus with a 25% share of world exports, the Spanish citrus sector highlighted during a meeting where the results of the 2023/24 citrus campaign were analyzed.
Exports totaled 2.34 million tons; i.e. 3.1% less than in the previous season and 17.8% less than the average of the last five years. However, the export value increased. It stood at 2,662 million euros and was higher than in the previous season and the average of the last five seasons.
The import volume increased by 0.4% over the previous campaign and 17% compared to the average, totaling 168,130 tons. Imports amounted to 153 million euros, 15% more than in the previous campaign and 31% more than the average.
This panorama reflects a difficult cultivation context. Drought and extreme weather conditions have led to one of the lowest harvests of the past eleven years. Total yield is estimated at 5.73 million tons, 15% less than the five-year average.
Despite this, Spain continues to be the largest citrus producer in Europe and the sixth-largest in the world, according to the Ministry of Agriculture.
Orange is the citrus most affected by these conditions. Production stood at 2.65 million tons, i.e. 10.6% less than the previous season and 24.2% less than the five-year average. Small citrus fruit production will decrease by 15%. However, record yields are expected for lemon and grapefruit.
Andalusia, the autonomous community most affected by the drought, anticipates a 20% reduction in citrus production. The Valencian Community's citrus production is expected to fall by 17%, while the Region of Murcia would increase it by 6%.
The prices paid to citrus growers fluctuated throughout the campaign. At the beginning of the season, producers sold their citrus easily but sales experienced a slowdown towards the end of 2023, affecting prices. Prices as origin, especially lemon price, are a point of attention due to the imbalance between supply and demand. There are major concerns that it is a structural problem that could continue for several years.
Source: efeagro.com