{“rewrite_title”:”Citrus Outlook in Alicante: Harvests, Prices, and Policy”}

Asaja Alicante presents a sober view of the province’s citrus scene, where the current campaign’s overall position and sales dynamics do not spark optimism for farmers and processors alike.

After two lean years in lemon cultivation, producers struggle to cover costs and sustain negative balances. Led by José Vicente Andreu, the association has pressed for measures to secure fair returns for growers, especially in a market rattled by a continental downturn in production and intense competition from Türkiye, a key player in the Spanish citrus market.

Unmet expectations

Early in the cycle, forecasts looked hopeful and price volatility was limited. The fruit set per tree hovered around 35 to 40 kuruş. Yet the association notes that these levels mirror prices from seven years ago, while the cost base has risen sharply. Local prices for varieties that still hold demand slipped to about 0.20 €/kg, making profitability elusive for many growers.

Lemons of the verna variety showed similar trends, with prices failing to offset the higher input costs. Still, there is cautious optimism that markets will strengthen in the coming weeks and that regional prices may not stay as weak as those for the Fino type.

Lemon production in the province decreased by 110 thousand tons

Weak domestic and European demand, driven by inflation, energy pressures, and eroding consumer purchasing power, contributed to the slide in prices. José Vicente Andreu, president of the association and a Vega Baja citrus producer, cites Germany as a primary customer that significantly cut demand by about 20%.

Harvest realities and market fairness

Asaja highlights troubling commercial practices that began to surface despite regulatory bans. The Food Chain Law and related controls have not prevented the value destruction that some large players extract by pushing higher destruction rates into contracts, often around 3–5% of the total harvest.

The association explains that some buyers pull up to half of the harvest as waste under the guise of industry alignment, while simultaneously selling much of it on the international market as a second fresh product.

The quality of Vega Baja lemons holds Europe’s attention and supports prices

The region’s lemons are recognized for their quality across European markets, a factor that should support value. Yet disputes over market power and bargaining leverage remain a concern for farmers facing fluctuating returns.

“Abuse”

Andreu and Asaja Alicante describe the situation as abusive, pointing to EU Regulation 543/2011 as part of the framework that can leave growers exposed in bargaining scenarios and in terms of economic value.

Overall, the lemon campaign concluded with roughly 1.8 million tons produced—about 40% below the previous season and around 20% under a typical year. While weather volatility has always affected citrus, recent hailstorms during a May Dana event caused damage to orchards around Elche and Orihuela, underscoring the crop’s sensitivity to climatic swings.

DANA left 175 liters/m² of rain, floods and roadblocks in Alicante

The article notes the compound impact of weather events and logistics disruptions that complicate harvests and deliveries across the province.

Drought

Water management dominates the outlook. The Tagus-Segura transfer and ongoing drought threaten irrigation, with July and August identified as critical months. A water shortage could push the crop toward poorer quality fruit, smaller size, and lower juice content, intensifying uncertainty for the season ahead.

Some very beneficial rains ruining cherries and late arrivals for cereal in Alicante

When it comes to oranges, prices show a mixed trend: early varieties hover around 0.25–0.30 €/kg for standard types like Navelina, with Valencia Late reaching higher levels. Yet the production shortfall keeps profitability under pressure for farmers despite price increases in some segments.

In contrast, tangerines have performed best in price terms, with certain varieties exceeding 1 €/kg. As the season progresses, prices trend upward, easing some of the downward pressure seen in previous years, according to Andreu.

Consumers pay 600% more for food than producers get

organic citrus

Organic citrus remains challenging: growers report field prices below those of conventional fruit while supermarket prices remain higher, absorbing much of the value. The concentration of market power among several large chains can suppress farmgate prices, even as retailers offer deep discounts at the shelf level.

The dynamics around organic citrus reflect broader market forces, with limited sustainability in current terms and persistent tension between farmgate earnings and consumer prices at retail.

José Vicente Andréu, president of Asaja-Alicante, joins the board of the Organic Agriculture Regulatory Board

In recent weeks, orange prices have ranged from 0.35–0.40 €/kg, while organic oranges have generally traded between 0.24 and 0.27 €/kg, amid ongoing inflationary pressures that temper organic lemon consumption in Europe.

Asaja Sector

The citrus sector forms a key backbone for the region’s economy, spanning the Valencia Community and the Alicante province. The association has renewed its commitment to the citrus sector, reinforcing compliance with Food Chain Law and urging national authorities to defend the industry within Europe. The aim is to promote Valencian citrus quality through the PGI Citrus mark and to deter new pest arrivals from third countries.

Additionally, the industry is organizing an annual training day to educate growers on the requirements a citrus sales contract must meet, helping to prevent potential abuses and minimize lost sales.