The tightening in supply of lemons foreseen by freshinfo in July is coming to pass as the effects of frost in Argentina make themselves felt.
On New Covent Garden Market this week, prices ran up to 1815p for 18kg for product from Argentina.
Drought in the major growing area of Tucumán in western Argentina, as well as dry conditions in South African growing areas, led to an abundance of small sizes from the outset of the season.
One importer said: “We always knew there was going to be less fruit from Argentina and Uruguay this year because of the small sizes. But frost last month in Tucumán affected volumes, so there is even less fruit.”
The issues are further compounded by issues with summer lemons from Spain. Respite is expected to come finally when new-season Turkish supplies come on stream in the third week of next month.
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