After years of drought, volumes return to normal levels for 2026/27 season
Hopes are high amongst citrus producers in Andalusia that 2026/27 will herald a return to form after a run of disappointing seasons.
Although some trees had to be uprooted due to storms earlier in the year, crop forecasts predict a recovery in yields and a return to normal production levels not seen in years. The orange crop is expected to weigh in at 2.11mn tonnes – an increase of 12.7 per cent on last season.
According to agricultural organisation Asaja-Sevilla, Andalusia will account for just over one-third of Spain’s overall citrus output and more than half of orange production this season. The region’s growing importance in oranges is partly due to farmers in the Valencian Community switching to more profitable crops like mandarins and avocados.
However, the organisation warned that growers are being squeezed by rising costs, including for phytosanitary products, energy, and labour, which is squeezing margins.
“The true goal of the season will not simply be to produce more, but to turn that production recovery into economic profitability for the farmer,” Asaja said, adding that improved harvests are “undoubtedly positive news for the citrus sector; however, ultimate success will depend on the market’s ability to absorb this output and on prices being high enough to adequately offset the costs incurred by growers”.
Asaja noted that non-EU suppliers like Egypt, South Africa, and Turkey, unable to reach Middle Eastern and Asian markets because of the situation in the Persian Gulf, would continue to divert more oranges to Europe, putting further pressure on the market. It said EU citrus imports from third countries grew significantly last season, reaching 1.8mn tonnes.
On the plus side, the increase in orange production in Andalusia should be weighed against a projected fall of 4.6 per cent in overall production in Spain.
“Although Andalusia will increase its harvest, the national forecast predicts orange production levels lower than those of the previous season and clearly below the recent average. This situation limits the risk of market saturation and helps maintain reasonably favourable price prospects,” adds Asaja-Sevilla said.
In mandarins, Andalusia is expected to see a 12.2 per cent increase in production in 2026/27, taking the crop to 557,000 tonnes. Lemon production is forecast at 87,000 tonnes – a rise of 18.5 per cent on last season. Production of grapefruits and other citrus fruits is expected to total around 50,800 tonnes.
