When it comes to Italian clementines, "production peaked last year, while the level will be minimal this year," reports citrus science specialist, Francesco Perri. Volumes were abundant last year, though fruits had small grades. This year, it's the opposite and "some producers will only manage to obtain a few tons per hectare. With these yields, it's not even worth harvesting." "Inspections in the main production areas in southern Italy, i.e. Calabria, Puglia and Basilicata, revealed there will be 70-80% fewer clementines. The drop will affect all varieties between late September and February." Other issues There are indeed companies that have managed to deal with the situation. "Nature is what defines the rules of the game every year. Being well-organized is the only way to survive." In addition to clementines, other citrus fruit will also be affected by a drop in production. A 30% drop is expected for Navel or Tarocco oranges, for example. However, fewer fruits on trees should mean larger grades. A drop in volumes is also expected for other fruits such as table grapes, kiwifruit, pears and apples. "However clementines will be the worst off. We have already talked to retail chain buyers about it. The alternative will unfortunately be Spain, also because whatever quantities are available were damaged by hail." "The Sibari plain is doing a little better, while the produce is lacking in the Rosarno plain and the main production areas in Puglia. Only a few will manage to save themselves and only because, over the years, they have carried out great technical work." The expert stresses that, while there have always been highs and lows in agriculture, producers need to be able to tackle the situation in the right way. "My father, who is 90, is not surprised by years like these. Of course, especially in moments of crisis, one needs to change mentality otherwise the risk is to become hopeless." "In Italy, and especially in the south, there is great biodiversity when it comes to citrus fruit. We should take advantage of it, while I fear operators are unprepared to tackle emergencies in the short period and challenges in the medium/long period." Yields are expected to drop in Spain as well by around 50% when it comes to early clementines and 20-30% for medium-late clementines, but this could actually favor grades. In the 1970s, Italy used to be a leader in the Mediterranean when it came to production and exports. We should start asking ourselves what we did wrong. Source - https://www.freshplaza.com