In Ulcinj, the mandarin harvest has experienced a dramatic reduction, with a 60 percent decrease in expected yields, leading to significant losses across agricultural operations in the area. According to Franjo Maković, President of the Association Agrumi Ulcinj, the municipality is home to approximately 300,000 mandarin plants, traditionally yielding between 60 and 100 kilograms of fruit per plant. This season, however, around 180,000 plants have produced unusable fruit, translating to a shortfall of 10,000 to 18,000 tons. Maković attributes this loss to extreme weather conditions, including prolonged periods of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in August, followed by the arrival of the Mediterranean midge in September, further impacting the crops. Specifically, the chohara and zorica rana mandarin varieties have been notably affected, whereas late-season varieties such as forged vasi and late ovari are expected to meet yield projections.
Despite these challenges, Maković notes that there have been no issues with the market placement of the remaining 40 percent of the harvest. He has appealed for state compensation for the losses and emphasized the need for expert guidance to mitigate future crop damage. Maković, who has been cultivating mandarins for 30 years and leads the association, reported a personal loss of 60 percent across his 600 trees. This year's conditions have been unprecedented in his three decades of experience. Additionally, orange and clementine producers in Ulcinj have reported harvests at only 50 percent of expected levels, while lemon yields have remained stable.
Source: Vijesti News