Spain cuts orange supplies due to low harvest

The Northern Hemisphere orange market is in a state of flux, with Spain’s harvest down significantly and Egypt’s season starting late.

This is reported by Fresh Plaza.

In Spain, a key supplier to Europe, production in Andalusia has fallen by 25%. Due to the lower harvest and rising costs, field prices remain high, but consumption of the fruit in the EU is still subdued. This is forcing Spanish exporters to keep the Navelina variety on the market longer before switching to later varieties.

“November was difficult due to mild temperatures and the availability of citrus from South Africa in retail chains. However, in December the market stabilized with the start of the Tarocco season,” said a sales manager for a Sicilian producer organization.

In Italy, the red orange season for the Ippolito, Tarocco Rosso and Moro varieties peaked in December 11. Despite somewhat lower volumes, the fruit is large in size and of excellent quality. Meanwhile, Egyptian exporters started the Navel season only on December 15, 2 weeks later than last year. The delay is due to expectations of better fruit color and sugar accumulation.

In the US, the situation is stable: California and Florida provide the domestic market with quality, large-sized fruits. Morocco, thanks to abundant rains, expects yields of up to 30 t/ha, which will allow it to strengthen its position in the UK and North American markets.

Tags: prices, Spain, orange