A few months ago, citrus growers in Morocco were reporting well-controlled production conditions and smooth farming operations. However, despite their best efforts and optimistic declarations, the weather failed them for the second year in a row, announcing a complicated season ahead.
Stephanie de Wit, CEO of Agri Bianco, told FreshPlaza: "The citrus season is starting late due to difficult weather conditions for a second year in a row. Some growers have started harvesting clementines, but we're not at the volumes we'd hoped for. The climate is too arid and dry with drought and heatwaves which is bad for citrus and reflects on the start of the season, sizes, and volumes."
"Unfortunately, it's worse than last season, when we had big sizes despite lower volumes. Small sizes usually mean bigger crops, but this season both clementine sizes and volumes are down," the exporter continues.
On a positive note says Stephanie, "Moroccan producers and exporters will nevertheless have a good market since the weather conditions also effects other competitor countries such as Spain. On top the South African season finished early and leaves an empty market to supply."
Last week's rains brought a breath of hope. Stephanie concludes, "We hope that these rains will persist in the following months and will improve the caliber of clementines in the coming weeks, along with good harvests of the other citrus varieties expected later in the season."
For more information:
Stephanie de Wit
Agri Bianco
Email: [email protected]
www.agribianco.com
linkedin.com/company/agri-bianco
instagram.com/agribianco