Argentinean lemon growers are likely to begin harvesting two weeks ahead of a normal season, on around March 15.
According to citrus association (ATC) in the main growing region of Tucumán, frosts in Europe are the main reason for the early harvest. Come April, the harvest is expected to be under way throughout the province.
Volumes are forecast to be up some 10 per cent on last season at 1.25 million tonnes and growers may want to direct as much product as possible to the fresh market given large stocks in the processing sector.
Carlos Parravicini, president of the ATC, warned of the problem of high stock levels of processed lemon products and low prices on overseas markets. "Stocks will remain high and sales remains an important issue the sector needs to resolve," he said.
But he remains hopeful that the Spanish weather situation will be good news for Argentinean exporters. "We can expect the commercial scene to be more favourable than was first envisaged two months ago," he said.
Exports of fresh lemons last year totalled 350,000t.
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