Ailimpo's initial lemon harvest estimate forecast for the 2016/17 season points toward a production figure in Spain of 980,000 tonnes, a 22 per cent increase on production in 2015/16 which closed in August at 802,680 tonnes.
With production for the upcoming season nearly reaching 1m tonnes, Spain has recovered to normal figures thanks to the effect of new plantations, though it has not reached the potential crop of 1.2m tonnes due to what Ailimpo called 'unusual weather conditions this year, with no real winter but a very long spring'.
According to the group, Spain will continue consolidating its dominant position in the European market, where it is the undisputed leader with a market share of over 80 per cent.
The lemon season will start during September, with harvest and export activity developing at good speed in October.
The expected increase in the lemon harvest and return to normalcy will also enable Spain to satisfy the growing demand of the domestic market and re-launch exports to third-country markets outside the EU such as the Middle East, Canada or Brazil.
