Citrus prices surge as weather hits supply

Weather-related problems look set to curtail the supply of European citrus in the coming weeks, paving the way for a strong start to the Southern Hemisphere deal.

Lee Parkinson, director of UK importer Pacific Produce, said easy peelers, predominantly late mandarin types like Nadorcott, will see an early end to the European season this year.

“Satusumas will be available for export from Peru and South Africa from week 10 or 11, and this will cover demand during April and May – albeit with the expectation of higher prices,” he told Fruitnet, adding that “prices for early Southern Hemisphere clementines are also likely to be higher”.

At the same time, he predicted that Peruvian exporters would feel the pull of the US market earlier than usual this year to cover the shortage from Morocco and the likely downturn in South African shipments due to the imposition of a 30 per cent tariff on their exports to the US.

In oranges, meanwhile, shorter supply from Spain could strengthen demand for Egyptian product. “If Spain is short on oranges this will create a pull from Egypt towards Spain which inflate prices to the UK and Europe,” Parkinson noted. “We will need to see how this one will play out but this could inflate fresh orange and juice prices through April and May.”

Lemon prices are already inflated due to the shorter Verna crop in Spain and rains delaying early production in the north of South Africa, causing strong demand in the first weeks of 2026.

According to Parkinson, FOB prices have rising by US$2-3 a carton. He pointed out that UK imports from South Africa also face a duty of 6 per cent prior to 1 May, which will compound the situation.

“I would expect to see high prices until end of May, possibly early June,” he said.

The season is being further complicated by ongoing vessel delays, which add additional complexity and are an ongoing challenge, Parkison noted.

Meanwhile, growers in Spain and Morocco are still assessing the impact of recent heavy rains and strong winds on production. The Moroccan Interprofessional Federation of Citrus Producers (Maroc Citrus) reported that the severe weather damaged a large quantity of fruit.

It said the intense rainfall, overflowing rivers, and strong winds led to substantial fruit drop, particularly among orange varieties. “Nearly one-third of total planted area is at risk, as prolonged water stagnation could cause root asphyxiation, potentially leading to the loss of a significant number of trees,” the federation warned in a press release.

Maroc Citrus added that the situation will seriously affect producers’ turnover and export capacity during the current campaign, with direct consequences for agricultural employment in the affected regions.

In Spain, meanwhile, Weeks of strong winds have caused extensive damage to crops in Valencia. Gusts reached up to 170km and hour last weekend, wreaking havoc on farms across the region, causing double-digit losses in Nadorcott, Tango, Lane Late and Saunguinelli citrus.