Also Andalusia will improve citrus crops

The forthcoming will grow by 14.6%, for a total of 1,647,337 tons. Considering the last five years’ average, Andalusia will improve in 2008/2009 by 14%. The local Agriculture ministry points out that the sector benefits from the current good climatic conditions. The increase, the ministry explains, will be generally registered in all Andalusia’s province excepted for Granada and Malaga, the former dropping the most that is by 31%.

The province of Seville keeps on being the leading producer of citrus fruits in Andalusia, with a 30% of the total (growing by 27% for 491,405 estimated tons in 2008/2009). Huelva is second in ranking with 377,280 tons (+4%), Almeria (290,250 tons, +20%), Cordoba (212,357 tons, +26%), Malaga (192,900 tons, -4%), Cadiz (71,650 tons, +18%) and Granada (11,495 tons, -31%).

 

The increase is mainly due to the improvement of the Navel (Lanelate, Navelina) and late groups (Valencia Late). Sweet oranges, which represent the largest crop accounting for 73% of the total (1.2 million tons), will improve by 262% compared to the campaign 1996-1997. Mandarins follow by far in terms of volumes with a total of 260,281 tons (16% of the overall citrus fruit crop). The mandarin production is on the rise too, chiefly thanks to the investments in the clementine variety. The major mandarin producer is the province of Huelva, accounting for 49% of the national estimated total, followed by Almeria (20%) and Sevilla (19%).