The UK market is eagerly awaiting the start of the northern hemisphere lemon season, as prices for southern hemisphere fruit climbed still higher.
Cartons of 64s and 100s from South Africa made up to £23 as the Argentinean season is coming to an abrupt end following frosts in Tucumán.
Turkey has already begun harvesting and the first fruit is expected in the UK imminently.
Daniyar Aliahunov of Ozler Tarim said: “We have already started harvesting and our first shipment to the UK is next week. The Turkish government rules that fruit cannot be exported in the first two weeks of the season so as not to push prices too high for the domestic market. Growing conditions have been good in terms of rainfall and temperatures and we are starting in line with past seasons.”
Aliahunov added that he expects prices to start to come down steadily once Turkish fruit hits the UK market. He said: “The UK market is very important for us. Russia is a major market that is growing in popularity, but there are risks supplying to Russia that are not associated with the UK.”
Meanwhile, grower groups in Spain are urging lemon producers to use the model supply contract approved by the farm ministry and drawn up by lemon and grapefruit body Ailimpo, with the approval of grower groups and marketing desks.
Asaja Murcia secretary-general Alfonso Gálvexz Caravaca said: “This way, growers can demand the price in their contracts and stipulate clearly what type of fruit the contract relates to in terms of size, maturity, harvest condition and so on. Growers will then have the backing of the law in their commercial dealings, which will help ensure fair treatment at the hands of buyers.”
