The Clemenules, the queen of production in Castellón, is experiencing a slow decline, having lost 20 points compared to the importance it reached a decade ago.
The favourite mandarin of a decade ago is undergoing a recession in the fields of Castellón. At one point it made up 80% of the province’s total production, but today it only reaches 60%, with a predicted harvest of 369,962 tonnes, out of a total of 621,757 tonnes.
The main reason for the current situation is the excessive growth that the crop experienced during some campaigns, which saturated the market and meant a drop in price.
From the ‘Agrupación de Viveristas de Agrios’ (Avasa), it has been confirmed that “although Clemenules plants for replacing trees are being sold, no new farms are being planted, whilst there is movement in the sector regarding the Clemenrubí and Oronules and this season Orogros has taken off”.
Different sources from the sector confirm that “this is a moment when risks are being diversified and profitable productions are being sought; therefore the harvest is looked at beforehand, as well as the later production.”
The generalised drop in production this season is not the same for the different extra early, late or hybrid varieties. The Oronules is increasing its production by 14.5%, reaching 5,835 tonnes; the Clemenrubí is following the same trend, rising by 17.4% and reaching 3,105 tonnes and the Ortanique has recorded virtually the same capacity as last year, 24,161 tonnes.
