The sweet citrus season started several weeks ago with the first Satsumas, followed by other varieties, such as the Marisol clementine, which this year was a little delayed due to the lack of cold weather. "Not only was there a delay, production was smaller than expected even though the Marisol clementine, like the Satsuma, is in demand in very specific markets," stated Manuel Blanco, manager of Lovefruits. "We have already started with Arrufatina and the first Oronules and Orogrós with leaves. There still are imported mandarins in Europe, but not that many and they are of inferior quality, so the demand for Spanish clementines is quite good."
"At the moment, we are having a significant gap in supply due to last week's rains. If the forecasts for further rainfall this week come true, the gap in the market will be much bigger. The next few weeks will be very interesting, not only because of the rain forecast but also due to the lack of volume since the fruit doesn't have enough color on the tree."
"Despite this situation, the chains started to try to lower purchase prices this week. However, the production gap allowed us to maintain prices. Furthermore, if the weather forecast comes true, we believe prices will increase again."
"Nules could have been one of the richest towns in Spain if the Clemenules had been patented"
The first volumes of the Clemenules, the clementine par excellence from Nules, a municipality where Lovefruits has had its headquarters since 2014, will start to be harvested at the beginning of November. By the middle of the month all producers in the Valencian Community will be harvesting clementines.
"Most of the volume that we produce on our farms is of the Clemenules variety," Manuel stated. "We expect less volume than last year, but we must look at that figure cautiously because the market trend will determine the results. It's something that we've experienced on other occasions. There might be fewer volumes, but if the market does not absorb them there can be a surplus."
"So far, fortunately, the supermarkets' demand for Spanish clementines has been quite constant. We hope we'll have good weather and enough cold to start with the Clemenules in about 15 days to truly immerse ourselves in the season, opening all the citrus lines in the chains we work with and at the right prices."
"The Clemenules variety has very good organoleptic qualities. I believe it's one of the best clementines grown in Spain in terms of flavor and quality. We're lucky that it does not clash with any significant third-country import offer, but its price on the market does not fully represent its value."
"Furthermore, Nules could have been one of the richest towns in Spain if the Clemenules variety had been patented because it's really good. However, nobody considered this possibility back then and the truth is that production got out of control to the point that the sector was producing more than the market could absorb; especially in recent years, when the commercial period for Clemenules has become smaller because supermarkets have been switching to the first Tango varieties earlier than before"
"However, expectations for this season are positive. The decrease in production, together with the drop in production area that has taken place in the Valencia Region, suggests that Clemenules prices will not remain stable."
For more information:
Lovefruits
C/ Rosa María Molas, n.º 20 - 18.
12520 Nules (Castellón)
Tel.: +34 964 633 500
Email: [email protected]
www.lovefruits.es