Although the losses have not yet been fully determined, the Algarve association's management said that a "consultation" was carried out with citrus producers and operators in the region and "significant" losses were identified, which "generally, are in the order of 25%, with some varieties experiencing losses in the order of 40%".

"This is the widespread situation due to the prolonged climatic conditions, with high levels of humidity, which promote rot and fruit drop. In addition to the fruit fallen on the ground, a substantial amount, although still on the tree, is already rotten, which will result in the continued fall of fruit over the next few weeks," AlgarOrange explained in a statement.

In addition to the damage caused to the fruit, there were also orchards that were hit by "extreme wind, rain and hail phenomena," he pointed out, acknowledging that prices should suffer "some increase along with production."

Producers will also face costs associated with harvesting that "have increased substantially," he stressed.

"The working conditions of the harvesting teams have become truly difficult. To continue supplying the market, harvesting is done in cold, rainy conditions. In many orchards, tractors sink into the water-saturated ground, and the fruit has to be removed only by people," the association explained.

AlgarOrange appealed to affected producers to submit notifications to the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission, with a copy to FEDAGRI - Algarve Agriculture Federation.

"This is the procedure to be followed to pressure the Government to open a call for support," he added.

After being affected by drought in recent years, citrus growers in Algarve have now benefited from intense rains that have restored depleted water levels in reservoirs, but the heavy rainfall recorded in recent days is already having negative effects on the fields and production.