Spain’s 2018/19 lemon harvest is expected to weigh in at 1.3m tonnes, according to early estimates from Ailimpo.
However, the interprofessional said the outlook for the two main varieties, were markedly different.
The Fino crop, harvesting of which will begin in September, is expected to reach 920,000 tonnes, an increase of 14 per cent on last season. This is due to good flowering conditions – leading to more fruit per tree – and new plantations coming into production.
However, Ailimpo said the forecast was dependent on there being an adequate supply of water over the summer and enough rainfall in the autumn.
“The rise in Fino production will allow for increased exports to non-EU markets such as the Middle East, Canada and Brazil, and more tonnage for processing, while maintaining similar volumes for the European market,” Ailimpo said.
With regards to the Verna variety, the preliminary forecast points to a harvest of 380,000 tonnes. Although this would be a significant increase (+90 per cent) on last year, when production was extremely low, it is just 9 per cent higher than in the 2016/17 season.
“Excellent flowering, new plantations coming into production and the impact of grafting orange trees with Verna lemons trees explain the strong growth of this native Spanish variety, which is marketed during the summer months,” Ailimpo said.
The association said it expected “a proper balance of pricing and distribution of financial value along the chain, allowing the Spanish lemon sector to make a profit from the harvest while also retaining market competitiveness against the supply of lemons from other producing countries”.
Ailimpo added that it expected the uptake of GlobalGAP and Grasp certifications to to increase over the coming season, and would continue to play a key role in promoting sustainable production.
