Protecting Citrus at the End of the Ripening Season in Europe
From February to March, citrus fruits in Europe—particularly blood oranges and pomelos—enter the final stage of ripening. This is a critical period when sugars reach their peak and fruit quality stabilises. It is also the key window for harvesting, marketing and fulfilling export contracts.
As a flagship fruit from winter to early spring, citrus enjoys strong demand across Europe thanks to its high vitamin C content and refreshing flavour. Spain and Italy are the continent’s leading exporters. According to EU agricultural data, more than 70% of Europe’s citrus exports come from these two countries alone.
However, recently released industry figures suggest a challenging 2025–2026 season. According to the World Citrus Organisation (WCO), total citrus production in the Northern Hemisphere is expected to reach 27.397 million tonnes, representing a 1.51% decline compared with last season and 5.13% below the average of the past four seasons.
Spain, the EU’s largest citrus producer, is projected to see output fall by 9.72% to 5.59 million tonnes, which is 11.20% below its four-season average. Italy is expected to experience a 6.12% decline, bringing production down to around 3 million tonnes.
By product category, oranges—accounting for about 51% of total citrus production—are forecast to drop by 2.16% to 13.86 million tonnes.
Against this backdrop of tightening supply, high-quality fruit will become even more valuable. Citrus with smooth skin, vibrant colour and a balanced sugar–acid ratio is likely to command a significant premium in export markets.
Spanish export data already reflects this trend. Despite pressure on overall export volumes, citrus exports—particularly oranges—have grown by around 7%, highlighting the market’s strong appetite for premium fruit.
Key takeaway:
In a year of reduced supply, protecting your crop is already a victory—and producing premium fruit can mean exceptional returns. Safeguarding fruit during the final stage of ripening is no longer optional; it is essential for securing the season’s profitability.
Southern Europe’s major citrus regions are currently facing the challenges of early spring weather. February and March are traditionally periods of frequent heavy rainfall and hailstorms, often combined with alternating strong sunshine and high humidity.
For citrus that is close to harvest, these conditions create three major risks.
1. Fruit Splitting and Drop
By the time fruit reaches maturity, the peel has already stretched close to its physical limit after months of growth. Sudden heavy rain can cause rapid water absorption inside the fruit, leading to internal pressure that the peel cannot accommodate. As a result, fruit splitting can increase sharply.
Once fruit splits, it becomes unsellable and quickly turns into a breeding ground for pathogens.
2. Skin Damage and Scarring
Hail is one of the most destructive threats during the ripening stage. Even pea-sized hailstones can leave permanent dents and scars on the fruit surface, instantly downgrading it from Class I to non-marketable grade.
According to the latest report from the AlgarOrange citrus growers’ association in Portugal’s Algarve region, recent extreme weather is expected to cause losses of 25% to 40%. Prolonged humidity has increased rot and fruit drop, while hail and heavy rainfall have caused direct damage to the crop.
3. Disease Development
High humidity creates ideal conditions for fungal diseases such as green mould and stem-end rot. Fruit may already carry latent infections while still on the tree. After harvest, these pathogens can develop rapidly during storage and transport, sometimes leading to entire boxes of fruit rotting during export shipments.
The harsh reality:
Without effective protection, orchards hit by severe weather late in the season can experience loss rates exceeding 25%.
In practical terms, this means that one quarter of a year’s hard-earned harvest may be lost before it even reaches the market, seriously affecting both grower income and export commitments.
During the citrus production cycle, growers typically focus most of their protection efforts on flowering and early fruit development. The final ripening stage, however, is frequently underestimated.
This “front-loaded protection” mindset is often where significant losses occur.
Misconception 1: “Harvest is close—just get through it.”
In reality, the closer fruit is to harvest, the more valuable it becomes.
By this point, each fruit has already absorbed ten months of sunlight, irrigation, fertilisation, pruning and crop protection costs. A single heavy rainstorm in the final month can destroy 30% of the crop overnight—a classic case of losing the race just before the finish line.
Misconception 2: “Open-field cultivation has always worked.”
But Europe’s climate is changing. Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent.
The Algarve case is a clear example. After prolonged drought, intense rainfall refilled reservoirs—but fruit in the orchards suffered severe losses. Traditional growing experience alone is no longer enough to cope with the new climate reality.
Misconception 3: “Protective measures are too expensive.”
A simple calculation tells a different story.
With 25% potential losses, one tonne of fruit is effectively wasted for every four tonnes produced. If protective measures reduce losses to below 5%, the additional 20% recovered yield becomes pure profit.
In a year with strong premiums for top-grade fruit and overall lower supply, protective investment may be the most profitable decision of the season.
1. Rain Protection: Tackling the Root Cause
During the ripening period, the biggest threat is water—both direct rainfall and humidity-related disease pressure.
Installing rain shelters or high-tunnel systems is one of the most effective solutions.
Benefits include:
- Shielding fruit from heavy rain, reducing splitting caused by sudden water absorption
- Lowering orchard humidity, limiting fungal growth and fruit decay
- Protecting fruit surfaces from hail, preserving peel quality and maintaining Class I grading
The Algarve loss report highlights that persistent humidity was a major driver of rot and fruit drop. Improved moisture control through rain protection could significantly reduce such losses.
2. Timely Harvesting: Staying Ahead of the Weather
Closely monitor weather forecasts and harvest mature fruit before severe weather arrives.
Fruit that reaches storage even one day earlier can significantly reduce risk exposure. For varieties that ripen gradually, adopt a staggered harvesting approach, picking each batch as it reaches maturity rather than leaving the entire crop exposed.
3. Post-Harvest Handling: Securing the Final Step
Even after safe harvesting, risks remain during storage and transport.
Key measures include:
- Post-harvest fungicide treatment to suppress latent infections
- Rapid pre-cooling to remove field heat and slow respiration
- Proper ventilation and humidity control in storage to prevent secondary infection
In a Low-Yield Year, Protection Is Profit
For the 2025–2026 season, reduced citrus production across the Northern Hemisphere appears inevitable.
Spain is expected to see output fall by 9.72%, and Italy by 6.12%—figures that translate into real pressure for growers.
Yet every challenge also brings opportunity.
Lower supply means stronger premiums for premium fruit. Citrus with clean skin, no blemishes and optimal sweetness—Extra Class fruit—will become increasingly valuable in export markets.
In a year when everyone faces climate risks, those who successfully protect their harvest will ultimately come out ahead.
Late-season crop protection is not an expense—it is the final safeguard for an entire year of investment.
By adopting scientific protection measures today, growers can ensure that every orange and pomelo reaches the market in its best possible condition—and ultimately finds its way onto tables across Europe and beyond.
