Spain's 2023-2024 citrus harvest is expected to be below 5.8 million tonnes, very similar to the previous season but almost 15% below the average of the past five years, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Oranges remain the most prolific citrus fruit in Spain this season, accounting for 45.9% of the total.
The main reasons for the low yield were water shortages, unusually high temperatures during flowering and fruit setting, and a later heat wave that required restricted irrigation in some areas. Most plantations do not have access to 15% more water than they need. In order to meet the market demand for oranges as quickly as possible, the actual harvest time of many citrus packaging plants is significantly earlier than usual. As a result, the price of oranges continues to rise, exceeding last year's prices.