The new Spanish citrus season has begun at Agribur. This year, this Spanish citrus producer has invested €5 million in packaging machinery. That is for both citrus without and with leaves. "We're expanding considerably," says commercial manager Marcel de Koning.
"We should reach between 30 and 40 million kg this year," Marcel has been working in the Spanish fruit trade for almost 30 years. The last few of which have been with Agribur. The first Clemenruby with leaves have kicked off the season. "Volumes and prices are similar to last year. Their quality and color are, however, better."
Oronules will follow the Clemenruby. Their volumes should also be the same as last year. "But, we'll start a little later. They should taste and look somewhat better," Marcel says. The biggest change is expected with Clemenules. "We're talking 40% less production due to mealybugs. And there's hail and rain damage from the storms that battered the Castellon region. It's, thus, going to be a very short Clemenules season. However, Clemenvilla, Tango, and Nadorcott mean we can offer alternatives. We're expecting the usual quantities of these varieties."
At Agribur, the Spanish orange season begins in November with the first Navelinas. "These might be small. There are far fewer large sizes available this year," Marcel warns. He thinks demand for citrus with leaves will be generally good. "At first, the demand for mandarins without leaves will be a bit lower. That's because there's still plenty of South African Orri and Nadorcott on the market."
"Mandarins with leaves were always Agribur's flagship product. But this year, our leafless volumes are rising for the first time. That's as a result of new investments. Some 80 to 90% of our trade is export-oriented. We have buyers in France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland," he concludes.
For more information:
Marcel de Koning
Agribur
+34 679 811 147
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agribur.es