The abundant rainfall recorded in the province of Castellon, which has brought the orange harvest to a halt for almost a week, will result in around 100,000 tonnes of clementines, mostly Clemenules, being spoiled. Although it is still soon to make this assessment, as the real impact will be assessed a few days after the rains stop, the union Asociex and the two largest agricultural organizations, agree that the volume of fruit that will be left without commercial value will at least be close to that figure.

The main issue is that the clementines have remained wet for many days and this will cause the appearance of the Pixat fungus, which had a very negative impact on the development of the campaign two years ago. Thus, even though last Monday, La Unió estimated the share of fruit affected at 20%, this percentage could be greater, since the rains still continue and there will be even more days of humidity.

This is happening at a point when the fruit is at an advanced ripening stage and with temperatures "that are not as low as we would like," as pointed out by the head for citrus at Fepac-Asaja, José Francisco Nebo. The impact of the Pixat fungus will result in plenty of fruit being discarded at the warehouse, with the consequent increase in handling costs, as explained by Asociex president Jorge García. At the same time, it will also mean that, on some farms, "it will no longer be possible to go in and harvest the fruit," affirms José Ramón Urbán, of La Unió. The fact is that when more than 30% of the fruit in an orchard is left unharvested because it has deteriorated, it is no longer viable to harvest at all, "because this percentage increases exponentially in the warehouse and the fruit's handling becomes unfeasible," states García.

Thus, after almost a week without new fruit, while they have continued supplying their customers, the warehouses of traders and cooperatives are practically empty. Given this situation, the sector has asked for caution once the rains stop, since there may be a hurry to supply the markets and it is essential to prevent shipments of fruit lacking in quality.

And all this is happening while large chains in the province are selling fruit from South Africa, as denounced La Unió.