The supply and quality of citrus fruits from the Southern Hemisphere have been notably affected by adverse weather conditions this year. As a result, the first part of the Spanish mandarin, clementine and orange season is expected to be good.
"The South African mandarin and orange season is expected to be shorter than usual due to the impact of frost, hail storms and problems in some ports because of CBS prevention measures," says Jorge García Monfort, Sales Director of García Ballester, based in the Spanish municipality of Burriana, in the province of Castellon.
"Given the lower supply of South African fruit in Europe, we believe that there will be a very lively market for the varieties arriving in the first part of the season, and that positive results will be recorded at least until the end of November, as long as there are good conditions for trade at destination," says Jorge García.
"From December onwards, the market tends to receive larger quantities of the Clemenules, the most widely planted variety in Spain. If there is no inclement weather reducing its production, the market always tends to get a little 'stuck'," he says.
"As for oranges, it is very likely that there will be a gap in the production until the arrival of the first Spanish Navelinas, for which high demand and prices are expected," he says.
For the time being, according to the grower and exporter, the clementine production in Spain is expected to be similar to last year's.
"In Castellon, where most Spanish clementines are grown, we are expecting slightly greater volumes compared to last season, despite the fact that orchards are still being abandoned due to a lack of generational replacement or profitability issues. In other provinces, such as Tarragona, the production is expected to fall, while in Valencia it will be similar or somewhat lower than last year's."
For more information:
Jorge García Monfort
Garcia Ballester
C/ Partida Vintems s/n
12530 Burriana, Castellon. Spain
Tel.: +34 964 571 025
[email protected]
www.garciaballester.es