Output predicted to be down by as much as 40 per cent in 2025/26 due to inclement weather
A succession of winter storms has severely curbed Andalusia’s citrus output in the 2025/26 season, with losses estimated to be as high as 40 per cent. At the same time, an upsurge of Egyptian citrus on the European market caused by exporters there being forced to divert shipments away from Asia due to the conflict in the Middle East, has eroded prices and hit grower returns.
Salvador Fernández, head of citrus at COAG Andalucía, told El Pespunte that losses ranged from 35 per cent to 100 per cent, depending on the location of the farm. Those near riverbanks sustained the most damaged, seeing significant fruit drop and extensive signs of rot.
More than 11,000ha are believed to have been affected in the districts of La Sierra, Campiña Baja, and Las Colonias in Córdoba, while a further 10,000ha in the Vega region of Seville also sustained damage. In Cádiz, more than 1,200ha of farms in the Campo de Gibraltar were left underwater for more than a week, resulting in a 100 per cent loss of production and an imminent risk of tree death due to root asphyxiation. Malaga’s Guadalhorce Valley also suffered extensive damage due to farms being waterlogged for a prolonged period of time.
Prices also took a hit due to competition from the greater volume of Egyptian citrus on the European market. Fernández noted that while prices hadn’t been disastrous, coupled with the production losses the impact on returns will be significant.
At the outset of the season, the regional government of Andalusia anticipated a crop of 2.03mn tonnes of citrus, a decrease of 13.5 per cent on the previous season and 7.6 per cent down on the average for the last four seasons. As the season draws to and end, this figure looks set to fall by around 40 per cent.
