Associació Valenciana D’Agricultors (AVA-ASAJA) is pretty optimistic about the Valencian citrus sector after the floods of late October 2024. The floods stem from weather event “DANA,” which carries isolated storms across southeast Spain, the regional home of Valencia oranges. While betting on Valencia’s historical production guarantee for recovery from DANA, AVA-ASAJA calls for governmental support on farmers.

To learn more, Selina Wamucii contacted Alex Tamames of AVA-ASAJA, who unfolds the story further.

Firstly, there is a degree of optimism about reinstating orange supplies.

“The DANA has reduced the production of oranges and mandarins in the Valencian Community by around 10%, causing damages of around 300,000 tonnes. This year there was already a rather short harvest due to the lack of rainfall, paradoxically, during spring and summer, as well as the lack of effective solutions against pests and diseases. However, the Valencian citrus sector has always guaranteed a sufficient supply of citrus fruits to supply the European markets.” 

This naturally calls to mind the price outlook of Valencia oranges on the short-term.

“During the first weeks after the DANA, orange prices remained stable because purchases halted in the affected area, waiting to see how the fruit was developing and because of the difficulty in accessing the farms, as many roads were destroyed. Traders redirected purchases to Andalusia and Castellón. Over time, purchases resumed in the area affected by the DANA, with high demand for Valencia oranges, and prices at origin rose, although to levels similar to last year at this time.” 

On the flip side are increasing costs, which according to AVA-ASAJA have risen to hundreds of Euros, to date: 

“As farmers have been able to access the farms and see the real damage, AVA-ASAJA has raised the losses in citrus fruits pending harvest to 212 million. In addition, there are plots that have been swept away and affected by root asphyxiation. These will require partial or total replanting and conditioning. This will leave farmers without income for at least five years. Taking into account the ageing of the agricultural population (average age 64.4 years and half over 65 years) and the lack of generational change, many small and medium-sized fields will stop cultivation. The Valencian Community already has 176,000 hectares abandoned, one in five productive hectares, due to a profitability crisis. For this reason, AVA-ASAJA is calling for more support measures for all affected farmers.” 

And this call for support also extends to the adherence to market rules to withstand regional competition from Greece, Egypt and Morocco. 

“Spain will be able to compete with third countries if it plays by the same rules in the European market, which is not the case. AVA-ASAJA is in favour of free trade, but it is not in favour of unfair competition. It calls for reciprocity and mirror clauses. In other words, foreign imports arriving in Europe must comply with the same labour, environmental, phytosanitary, etc. standards as European products. Under current conditions, EU trade agreements with third countries harm the profitability of producers, harm the health of consumers and harm the global fight against climate change. This is because third countries produce using more polluting methods and transporting thousands of kilometres involves a larger carbon footprint.” So ends Alex on a point of sustainability.  

For extra bits on national production, especially regarding the Valencian citrus industry, read on the next statistics.

Spain and Valencian Citrus Statistics

Spain is a world leader in citrus production and export. National citrus production centers around the eastern and southern regions of Valencia and Andalusia, respectively. The two regions share 90% of the annual citrus harvest in the southern European country. Murcia and Catalonia contribute much of the remaining 10%. 

Which citrus fruit is Valencia a top 2 national producer? 

Oranges are the fruit of Valencia, including the eponymous late season Valencia orange cultivar. In 2021, the region came second nationally after harvesting 1,437,600 tonnes of oranges, behind Andalusia’s 1,734,600 tonnes. This made both regions claim over 99% of the orange output in Spain.

How big are orange exports from Spain? 

In 2022, Spain ranked the top exporter of fresh or dried oranges by value at $1.21 billion, according to OEC. The value represented almost a quarter of the world’s total orange trade or a 24.3% share of the global market. 

What is the production portion per variety in Spain’s citrus sector? 

Before 2018, oranges represented 62% of national orange production. In 2023, oranges totaled 2,714,960 tonnes versus 1,862,300 tonnes for mandarins/tangerines and 2,290 tonnes for other citrus, per FAOSTAT. The main varieties under production include Navelina (early season), Lane Late (mid-season) and Valencia (late season). Mandarins, clementines, tangerines and satsuma made up 22% of national citrus production before 2018. This is even as limes and lemons constituted 11% of the citrus harvest, according to Citrus Industry.

What is the main cost issue of Spain’s and the Valencian citrus sector? 

Weather is the foremost cost factor in orchards. Dryness from hot dry summers and relatively cold winters often forces farmers to spend up to $3,000 an acre for irrigation.