Clementine and mandarin production on the rise in Catalonia

The production of clementines and mandarins in Terres de l'Ebre (province of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain) has seen a 20% growth compared to last season, reports the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia (FCAC).

 

The advance comes after a year in which production was lower than expected, totalling 27,000 tonnes of oranges and 82,000 tonnes of clementines. In addition, the price per kilo has increased by 10 to 15 cents due to the lower quantity harvested in other areas of Spain because of the drought, thus helping to mitigate high production and labour costs.

 

Nonetheless, the current season is facing challenges, especially due to competition from imported fruit and the increase in pests such as the South African cotonet and the Oriental spider mite. These pests, favoured by climate change, significantly affect crops. Added to this is the reduction in cultivated land, from 9,700 to 8,000 hectares since 2012, increasing problems such as fruit flies.

 

With the challenge of foreign competition, approximately 95% of citrus fruit from Terres de l'Ebre is exported, although local agricultural cooperatives contribute 36% of total Catalan production.

 

 

 

 

 

fuente: agrodigital.com