The Minister of Agriculture, Water, Livestock, and Fishing, Miguel Barrachina, has highlighted the role of Vega Baja as a "reference for Valencian citrus production" during his presence at the first edition of the Lemon Cut of Orihuela (Alicante), an event that symbolizes the start of the new campaign and pays tribute to the work of the farmers in the region.
Barrachina has emphasized that the province of Alicante concentrates 98.5 percent of the lemon production of the Comunitat Valenciana and has detailed that the forecasts for the 2026-2027 campaign contemplate an increase of 9.4%, reaching 235,161 tons.
The minister has participated in this first Lemon Cut, held at the Dehesa de Pinohermoso estate, alongside representatives from the Orihuela City Council, agricultural organizations, farmers, and irrigators from Vega Baja, as reported by the Generalitat in a statement.
According to the data from the 2025-2026 campaign, cited by the regional administration, the Comunitat Valenciana obtained a production of 214,991 tons of lemons, of which 211,717 corresponded to the province of Alicante. For the next campaign, an estimated regional production of 235,161 tons is expected, mainly of the Fino varieties, with 148,355 tons, and Verna, with 86,806 tons.
Barrachina has also highlighted the relevance of foreign trade. Between September 2025 and June 2026, lemon exports from the Comunitat Valenciana totaled 397 million euros, representing an increase of 21.4% compared to the same period of the previous campaign.
The minister has stressed the need to preserve the quality and competitiveness of Valencian lemons in international markets and has valued the effort of farmers, cooperatives, and marketing companies.
Products from "third countries" and market access conditions
During his speech, Barrachina defended the convenience of ensuring comparable production and marketing conditions for "citrus fruits from third countries."
In this regard, he pointed out that "products entering the European market must meet the applicable health and food safety requirements, with controls that guarantee the protection of consumers and agricultural productions."
Generational change and support for new farmers
The councilor also referred to the generational change and reminded that the call for aid for 2026 for the incorporation of young and new farmers is still open, with the deadline for submitting applications ending on December 4.
The planned aid ranges between 30,000 and 80,000 euros for young farmers and between 20,000 and 70,000 euros for new farmers, according to the requirements set in the call.
Water management and irrigation tradition in the Vega Baja
During the event, councilor Barrachina emphasized the significance of irrigation for agricultural production in the Vega Baja and insisted on "the need to guarantee sufficient water resources and efficient water management to maintain agricultural activity in the region."
In this context, he acknowledged the contribution of traditional water management institutions, "especially" that of the Privative Court of Waters of Orihuela and the irrigation communities of the Vega Baja, for their "essential role in the distribution and utilization of water resources."
Likewise, he highlighted the trajectory of the Privative Court of Waters of Orihuela, whose water judge, José Bernabé, has served as the godfather of this first edition, and emphasized his "contribution to maintaining agricultural activity and preserving the irrigation tradition in the region."
Finally, he conveyed his congratulations to the City Council of Orihuela for organizing this first edition of the Lemon Cut and expressed his "recognition to the farmers and professionals who participate in the production and marketing of one of the most representative crops of the region."