Citrus harvest in the Valencian Community forecast at 2.59mn tonnes in 2026/27, the second lowest in two decades
Valencia’s biggest farming union, La Unió Llauradora, is warning of a challenging 2026/27 citrus campaign for the Valencian Community. It said its latest forecasts point to a crop of 2.59mn tonnes – this is 3.4 per cent up on last season but still the second-lowest harvest in 20 years.
The estimate was made in late July based on a technical analysis by La Unió, taking into account weather patterns, the condition of the orchards, and the impact of pests. B
By product, production of soft citrus is pegged at 1mn tonnes, a 2 per cent increase on 2025/26. Clementine volumes are expected to remain virtually unchanged, with the increase driven primarily by hybrid varieties. The orange harvest is expected to reach 1.28mn tonnes (up 5 per cent on last season), while lemon production will hit 240,408 tonnes (up 15 per cent on 2025/26), driven largely by an increase in Verna volumes.
Limited production volumes will favour fruit sizes suitable for the market, and high fruit quality is also expected.
According to a statement from La Unió, initial commercial deals are being struck at stable prices, although purchasing activity is lower than in recent seasons.
The organisation said the low production levels were to a combination of structural and situational factors, including the aging of a significant portion of the trees – leading to a progressive decline in yield, weather conditions that hindered fruit set, increasing pressure from pests and diseases, and the ongoing abandonment of farms.
It said citrus acreage in the Valencian Community contracted by 2 per cent in 2025 to 2,762ha. This represents a drop of 15 per cent over the last decade.
La Unió cited rising production costs – driven by higher expenses for pest control and the increased price of fuel, fertilisers, and energy – as further factors behind the erosion of farm profitability.
It has called on public authorities to implement an aid plan for replanting aging orchards, authorise the exceptional use of active ingredients and phytosanitary products effective against major citrus pests, and provide greater financial support for biological control measures – covering both the production and release of natural enemies.
La Unió is also campaigning for tariffs or safeguard clauses to be imposed on countries that it accuses of engaging in unfair competition.
The organisation said that without a decisive strategy for renewing varieties, improving plantation health, and supporting producers, the loss of competitiveness for Valencian agriculture’s primary crop will continue to worsen.
