Mandarin and citrus production in the Northern Hemisphere is in the second half of its campaign with the end in sight for many producing countries. The Orri Jaffa variety is attracting the highest prices in many markets. Israel reports a good winter with mild weather, including record breaking rain levels that did not harm the trees, but aided the quality. Despite challenges with manpower to harvest, export volumes were kept flowing to meet the big demand in markets, especially in Europe.
In the main Italian wholesale markets late Sicilian mandarins, as well as Spanish and Italian Hernandina clementines can be found. Also available are Turkish and Spanish Nadorcott and Spanish Tango. The Israeli Orri is going for more than €3/kg. The Italian season may end earlier than expected. Greece is seeing good demand, but they have very little varietal diversity compared to Spain and Italy. There has been a drop in prices of Novas. In France a different picture emerges with fluid sales. The second half of the citrus campaign is well underway. The French market is seeing Tango Gold, Nadorcott, Orri and Murcot mostly from Spain with a little supply from Portugal.
