The 2015 Chilean lemon campaign has got off to a positive start with exports to week 25 climbing 159 per cent compared to the same period last year to reach 15,564 tonnes.
Gonzalo Salinas of iQonsulting said the season was running slightly ahead of last year but the main reason for the increase was the recovery in production following the frost damage of September 2013.
“However when compared with previous years, the gaps remains significant, with shipments to week 25 totalling 5,968 tonnes in 2013 and 11,292 tonnes in 2012,” he said.
Argentina has exported 96,400 tonnes so far this season, a 60 per cent increase on last year but still below the levels seen in the previous three years. Shipments from South Africa are also down on previous years, totalling 46,000 tonnes.
About 90 per cent of Argentine lemon exports are destined for the European market, while Chile ships 98 per cent of its volume to the US and Asia. South African exports mainly to Europe and the Middle East, although shipments to Asia have risen sharply in the past five years.
