Producers of oranges in the Alicante region are leaving their crops unpicked due to high costs exceeding profitability. The province produced 332,000 tonnes annually, representing 53.9 million euros, but the falling prices paid to farmers does not even cover the maintenance throughout the year.

Farmers are being offered a mere 11/12 cents per kilo of the "Navelina" – an early variety whereas the production costs are between 18/19 cents. The lack of rain in the province, although welcome by many has hit the farming community badly, with irrigation costs adding even further to the production costs.

The citrus fruit accounts for 24.5% of agricultural crops produced in the province and future certainly doesn´t look orange.... If you drive around the outskirts of Benidorm you will see fruit falling and rotting on the floor – a very sad site. 15,270 hectares of land in the Alicante region is cultivated but potentially looks set to fall due to overheads.

Small farmers often sell their produce at the outdoor markets – its great to go around the stalls, where you can sample the fruit before buying and pick you own. Most Spanish housewives buying their fruit and veg this way, pushing their trolley laden down with seasonal stock.

One of the other crops grown in the region is the nispero fruit, which usually fruits in May and is unique to the area. It is very labour intensive to pick as it is such a delicate fruit, which bruises easily and has a short shelf life.

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