Price Evolution of "Clemenules" and "Navelina" in Spain during the period 2007-2012

Abstract

Citrus is strongly affected by cyclical swings in their productions. This fact, among others, is reflected in the evolution of prices that are received by farmers. This instability results in an uncertain income for farmers, that in some cases is not even enough to cover production costs. The aim of this paper is to characterize the evolution of prices and highlight the differences between some of the agents involved in the citrus supply chain, as a first step in the study of supply and demand of fresh citrus fruit in Spain. Therefore, the paper analyzes the evolution in the past five campaigns of the average price received by the farmer (“price on tree”) and by wholesalers in some of the most important citrus cultivars cultivated in Spain: the clementine ‘Clemenules’ and the navel orange ‘Navelina’. Additionally, volumes are analyzed based on the available information on statistics agencies.