1958: Demand for Cyprus Late Ovals, including Morphou and Lefka oranges, has exceeded supply, with growers reporting high prices since the start of March.
Normally available until mid-May, the crop is expected to run out by the end of March due to unprecedented demand from regular and new international markets, including Norway, New Zealand, and the Far East.
Growers are being paid £11 per thousand for Late Ovals and £12 for Valencia Lates. Shippers are prioritizing these new markets to secure future clients, reducing shipments to traditional destinations like the UK.
Meanwhile, citrus consumption in the UK remains low, as highlighted by Max Levin of the Citrus Marketing Board of Israel. He noted a decline in post-war demand, contrasting with increasing citrus consumption across Europe.
Additionally, South Africa’s citrus production has been impacted by drought in the Eastern Province and hail damage in Natal, leading to a revised estimate of just over 8 million cases for this season.