FRESHFEL EUROPE unveils Mediterranean basin citrus production forecasts

All countries

Tuesday 12 October 2010

Expected decline (2,2 %), for the citrus fruits production which will reach 17,1 million tons in countries of the Mediterranean Basin.

This season citrus production in the Mediterranean basin countries should reach a total of 17,1 million tonnes, a decrease of 2,2% compared to last year. This data is part of the effort undertaken by Freshfel Europe together with SHAFFE to improve the transparency of information available for the fresh produce sector.

The leading producing country Spain is recovering from low production levels last year with a 9% increase in its citrus production, rising to 5,9 million tonnes. Italy and Israel are both predicting a decrease by 22% and 10% respectively.

Limited production increases are expected in Turkey (1%) and Cyprus (6%). In Morocco, first estimates by the industry indicate a total citrus production of almost 1,3 million tonnes, down by 2% compared to last year.

Looking at details by citrus category, orange

production is forecast to be 6% down on last season in the Mediterranean basin. This is mainly due to a fall in production in Italy (-27%), Israel (-18%) and Turkey (-15%).

With regard to lemons, production in the Mediterranean is forecast to rise by 4,5% overall, with increases in production in Spain (20%), Turkey (15%) and Cyprus (10%), whilst Italy is registering a 20% decrease.

Finally, grapefruit production in the Mediterranean basin is expected to decrease by 9,5% in total, due mainly to a fall of 14% in Israel’s production and by 10% in Turkey’s production. Only Spain is expecting an increase in production (6%), while the other producing countries seem to have a stable production.

Source: freshfel