Widespread reduced purchasing power among local consumers in Bali is being felt by orange producers in the Rendang District of Karangasem Regency in Bali. Orange farmers now encounter difficulties in selling this year’s bountiful harvest of Highland Tangerines (Jeruk Siam Madu).
I Gusti Ngurah Alit, a local agro-businessman from Banjar Palak in the Village of Besakih, confirmed prices have dropped by one-third in Bali’s current lackluster economy.
Looking toward the future, Alit is expanding his current acreage to dedicate the land to planting more oranges. Seedlings acquired from Malang, East Java, will expand his current 60 are (6,000 square meters) orange plantation to a full hectare. It usually takes at least two years for a newly-planted orange seedling to bear fruit. The decision to undertake new plantings is based on past seasons when the demand for “Jeruk Manis” exceeded supplies.
Given the Balinese people’s current lack of purchasing power, this year’s bountiful harvest may waste if market conditions do not soon improve.
From Bali Discovery
