Regional agricultural authorities in the Murcia area forecast a lemon crop of 500,000 tonnes. This accounts for roughly half of the Spanish national crop. Some 360,000 tonnes are winter Fino lemons and the remainder summer Verna fruit. The summer crop is in decline with steady decreases in production year on year over the past few years allowing more place for southern hemisphere fruit, particularly from Argentina.
Harvesting is due to start next month, although as usual, exporters are urging producers not to jump the gun and start picking too soon before fruit is ready in order to make a premium on the early market.
Production conditions have been favourable for the fruit so far this year as it has not fallen victim to frost or high wind and skin finish is reported to be clean. Sizes are also slightly on the large side.
Spain is the leading Mediterranean lemon producer and second only behind Argentina in the world. The Spanish crop ranges between 1million and 1.5mt a year.
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