Wakayama faces severe drought and citrus crop damage

Severe drought conditions in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, have led to the establishment of a drought response headquarters for the first time in 21 years. August rainfall in the region was recorded at only 10.5 mm, roughly 10 percent of the seasonal average, with some areas experiencing record-low precipitation.

The lack of water is causing significant damage to the local citrus industry. Many mandarin oranges are failing to reach standard sizes, with many being classified as “3S” (under 5 cm in diameter), which falls below the shipping standard of “2S” or larger. Some farmers report that fruit is so small it may be unsuitable even for juice processing.

Beyond immediate crop size, the drought is impacting the long-term health of the trees. Farmers have observed leaves curling as a survival mechanism to prevent evaporation, and some indicate that up to 40 percent of trees in certain orchards are weakened. There are concerns that even if rain returns, the damage to the trees may affect future harvests.