Spain: They estimate a drop in citrus production of 17.7%

The article outlines the upcoming season's citrus campaign, which is projected to yield approximately 5.8 million tons, marking a significant 17.7% decrease from the previous year and the lowest yield in ten years due to unfavorable weather conditions. With the exception of Greece, Egypt, and Israel, citrus productions in northern hemisphere countries, including Spain, have seen declines. Spain, a major player in the global citrus industry with 300,000 cultivated hectares, remains the leading exporter of fresh citrus. The government, along with the Citrus Management Committee and the sector's interprofessionals, is focusing on marketing quality Spanish citrus products abroad. The reduced production has resulted in price increases for growers, achieving the highest levels in a decade. In Spain, household citrus consumption has decreased following the pandemic peak, and there has been a 10.2% drop in exports, despite a slight increase in their monetary value. Additionally, citrus imports to the European Union have also seen a decline.