Provincial agriculture is facing one of its toughest periods on record, and the citrus sector has borne the brunt. The new season began with losses that far outpaced last year’s disappointing outcomes. Rain during the flowering phase reduced harvests and left fruit unpicked as prices remained low, threatening farmers’ incomes by about 42 million euros. This poor start requires careful monitoring of how competition from third countries may affect results.
The citrus industry, concentrated mainly in the Vega Baja region, has not managed to escape a prolonged downturn. The previous season remains averted in memory due to a chaotic first half, when a heavy flow of fruit from South Africa saturated markets and diminished the ability to sell locally produced lemons and oranges.
And the situation was compounded by the war in Ukraine, which disrupted exports to Eastern markets. Suppliers such as Turkey, Egypt, Israel, and Morocco redirected their goods to other parts of Europe, leaving about 70% of oranges and 20% of tangerines unsold in the second half of the season. The cumulative impact amounted to losses of around 140 million euros.
As the new campaign began, developers noted ongoing negative trends from the previous year. José Vicente Andreu, president of Asaja Alicante and a citrus producer, highlighted that unharvested fruit remained a major issue. He cited a 30% drop in late orange production, translating to economic losses near 100,000 tons and 30 million euros. Added to this were abundant rains during the flowering period for lemons of the verna variety, which continue to mature with about 75,000 tons of verna and a market price expected around 12 million euros.
Andreu emphasized that the situation remains precarious as production costs climb rapidly due to higher energy costs, fertilizer prices, and phytosanitary products, while price levels for farmers stay uncertain. These dynamics create tough conditions for growers who must navigate fluctuating input costs and unpredictable markets.
Agriculture in the province is experiencing its worst year with losses exceeding 200 million
Paco Girona, an Orihuela-based producer, notes that while lemons offer some price stability, the industry continues to feel the pressure of unfair competition from imports. He points out that fruit from South Africa, Argentina, and Turkey can still reach his markets, creating ongoing tension and uncertainty about future earnings.
Carles Peris, secretary general of La Unió, warns that the region is on the cusp of a fourth consecutive citrus campaign with below-average harvests. He has urged both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Generalitat to launch promotional campaigns aimed at boosting domestic consumption and supporting exports.
Measures under consideration include tighter import controls and extended cold treatment for citrus shipments. The citrus sector argues for greater scrutiny of imports into the European Union and longer cold treatment for oranges from South Africa. La Unió points to a 41% rise in third-country pest interventions by August and calls for standardized treatment criteria to protect local production. The Citrus Management Committee has also pressed the EU for action, alleging that South Africa has disrupted European ports by sending 2,000 containers that stalled due to temperature exposure concerns, a move that complicates trade flows.
In summary, the region faces a challenging landscape with a combination of competitive pressure from international suppliers, weather-related reductions, geopolitical disruptions, and rising production costs. Stakeholders continue to seek policy responses and market interventions that can stabilize incomes, safeguard local orchards, and preserve the vitality of the province’s agricultural sector.