Decrease in Italy’s orange and lemon crops

Italy’s 2018/19 orange crop is expected to be 7.5% lower due to summer rains and the major flooding incidents in Sicily in October and November. In contrast, Italy’s 2018/19 tangerine production is forecast to increase by 14.8%, thanks to favourable weather conditions in Calabria, the main producing region. Meanwhile, Italy’s 2018/19 lemon harvest is predicted to be down by 8% as a result of hailstorms which struck during the spring.  Quality levels for all crops is forecast to be excellent.