Valencian Citrus Sector Faces a New Outlook: Organic Specialization, Labor Protection, and Domestic Growth

The plenary session of the Valencian Courts on Wednesday examined the working commission’s view regarding the current status and future viability of the citrus sector in the Valencian Community. The focus centers on specialization in organic production, the value of stable, quality jobs, and boosting domestic consumption. The text is expected to be voted on Thursday with anticipated backing from Botànic parties PSPV, Compromís, and Unides Podem, while PP and Vox are likely to oppose, and Ciudadanos abstains. The opinion was issued the same day the new head of the Agriculture Ministry took office after a sudden dismissal earlier that day. The personnel change involved Mireia Molla.

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The panel argues that narrowing Valencia citrus production to organic farming appears to be the safest path to sustain profitability, aligning with a circular economy that reduces external dependencies. This is highlighted as a core conclusion within the referenced report.

The Commission also advocates accelerating the measures outlined in the Second Valencia Plan, including agroecological transition and tools under the Agricultural Structures Law that improve land access, irrigation modernization, and the promotion of research, innovation, knowledge transfer, and public procurement of organic foods.

At present, about 90 percent of organic citrus is exported to the European Union. The report stresses the need to broaden both the Valencia and wider Spanish markets for this sector.

Linking Valencian citrus farming with agroecological values can benefit traditional producers by reinforcing the region’s association with proximity, quality, and health standards aligned with European norms.

The opinion encourages agricultural organizations and cooperatives to actively address the needs of their members, aiming to increase farm competitiveness through restructuring that links local production with international markets.

In response to climate change, the commission urges high quality, diversified agricultural production tailored to the hydro, edaphic, and climatic conditions of the region.

Progress in technical improvements is deemed essential, with emphasis on cultural and organizational practices such as irrigation management, soil stewardship, fertilization, and plant health.

Agricultural extension services are identified as crucial, alongside collaboration between universities and research centers, especially IVIA, irrigation societies, and professional associations and farmers.

Legislative changes are called for to enhance worker protections, recognizing the citrus sector’s labor contributions and increasing penalties for field violations, while limiting temporary employment agency activities and promoting collective bargaining among harvest and warehouse workers.

A national cross-professional campaign for citrus is urged to shape the marketing effort from the outset, support domestic promotional campaigns, and provide more information to growers.

Promoting sustained consumption and engaging the next generation of consumers through coordinated promotions is described as a pressing priority by the commission.

The special commission was created on the proposal of the Unides Podem group and approved in the Valencian Courts on 18 June 2020. The commission, chaired by a representative of Unides Podem and supported by other groups, undertook six months of work. It involved 53 sector experts and issued a strong interprofessional call to safeguard the citrus sector in the Valencian Community.

Mindset Change

Gascó notes that some experts provide essential guidance for industry survival and that changing mindsets within the sector is vital. Dialogue with stakeholders has shown needs such as strengthening Intercitrus, complying with food chain laws, and adopting agroecology as a practical model for drought resilience and climate adaptation. The emphasis includes advancing research on pests and diseases, improving working conditions in fields and warehouses, honoring community preferences, and promoting non-bone varieties.

The commission, backed by the Unides Podem Esquerra Unida group, is one of the most comprehensive in terms of expert involvement to capture the citrus sector’s real needs. This group includes participants from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, Sustainable Economy, Intercitrus, and a wide range of agricultural bodies and universities. The broader list reflects a robust network of growers, cooperatives, engineers, and researchers.

Among the contributors are prominent figures from research, teaching, cooperatives, and rural communities such as Jorge Cañamás, Enrique Bellés, Joan Mir, Paco Borràs Escribá, José María García Álvarez-Coque, José Navarro Pedreño, Elena Meliá, Soledad Montaner, Cristina Vitorio, Ana Cano, Nacho Felis, Pep Rosselló, Antonia Soto, and many others.