Arabic version: تراجع إمدادات الحمضيات في ريفرلاند بعد الطقس المتطرف

According to ABC News, colder and wetter winter weather, following record-breaking summer heatwaves, has reduced supplies of locally grown oranges and mandarins in South Australia’s Riverland during the peak citrus season. Quality problems have led to fruit being downgraded, while growers hope warmer, sunnier conditions will help them complete this year’s harvest.

Sunlands citrus grower and Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke said workers were often beginning at about noon because fruit cannot be picked below 12 degrees when moisture is present. He said picking in those conditions could leave finger marks visible several days later. Shorter workdays have also reduced earnings for growers and pickers, he said.

At Venus Citrus in Loxton, which receives fruit from about 50 Riverland growers, sales and marketing team member Fabio Spiniello said 60 to 70 per cent of fruit had been downgraded this year. Citrus in Australia is graded across four classes, from premium fruit to produce used only for juice and puree. Mr Spiniello said fruit protected by netting was more likely to meet premium standards.

Wind damage when fruit was small, along with more rain than usual in the semi-arid region, weakened the skin of some citrus, Mr Spiniello said. He said Washington navel oranges had shown some effects, while Cara Cara oranges had been “sensational”. Mandarin supply was down about 20 per cent after late flowering and a summer period of 10 days at about 45 degrees.

Ryan Oakley, owner of Mason’s Fruit and Veg in Barmera, said blemished fruit could still be good to eat. His business has bought more citrus from interstate to cover supply gaps, while continuing to stock local fruit that remained available and affordable.