The clementine season is already starting in the Spanish province of Castellon with the first harvests of the earliest varieties, although, for the time being, supply is still limited. Due to hailstorms in Castellon and Valencia, the main clementine and mandarin growing areas in Spain, supply is expected to be scarce in the first part of the season, until early December, and prices will be higher than in previous seasons.
© García Ballester
"This week we will start harvesting the first clementines, including the Clemenrubi and Clemensoon, which will then be followed by the Oronules. From week 42 onwards, we will also have Arrufatina, a clementine similar to the Clemenules," says Jorge García Monfort, Sales Director of García Ballester, a company based in the municipality of Borriana, in the province of Castellon.
In the Valencian Community, the clementine and mandarin production will be around 10% smaller than in the previous season due to adverse weather conditions. "Taking into account the amount of fruit available in the fields, we expect an early season with low volumes, especially at the time when the fruit needs to be degreened in chambers; that is, until the end of November and beginning of December, coinciding with the shipments for St. Nicholas," says the grower and exporter. "Until then, fruit is likely to be scarce."
At the end of November, from the moment when the fruit no longer needs to be degreened, the situation and supply will, once again, depend on the weather. According to Jorge García, "if temperatures are low and there is no abundant rainfall, supply could increase, but things could become difficult if temperatures remain high, the fruit doesn't reach the necessary acidity levels, or it rains too much, as there would be many quality problems. We are working to be ready for both of those possible scenarios."
In this context, prices at the source are notably higher than at the same time last season. "These prices will be difficult to justify in a market with fruit from overseas available until the end of October. Nonetheless, there is no reason why prices shouldn't remain high until at least the end of November, bearing in mind the supply available and that the quality of the latest mandarins from South Africa isn't that good," says the Sales Director of García Ballester.
The family company, specializing in citrus, sells around 45 million kilos a year, especially mandarins and clementines. All of that fruit is intended for export, mainly to Europe, but also to Canada, the Middle East, and occasionally, Southeast Asia. It has its own productions mostly in the province of Castellon and the south of Tarragona, as well as in Seville, where it has some Nadorcott plantations. The company commits to the Leanri variety, whose production is expected to reach almost 3 million kilos this year.
For more information:
Jorge García Monfort
Garcia Ballester
C/ Partida Vintems s/n
12530 Burriana, Castellon. Spain
Tel.: +34 964 571 025
[email protected]
www.garciaballester.es