The Spanish lemon season will start in early October with a forecast 20 per cent increase in volume on last year. Sector body Ailimpo said volumes of 807,000 tonnes are expected, which would make this a “normal” volume year, although quality is reported to be “exceptional”. Output is strong largely because of the sheer number of fruits on the trees of both maincrop Fino and summer Verna varieties. Ailimpo is forecasting both export and processing activity will rise on last year. It warns, however, that the season will get off to a slow start as sizing is still on the small side for the time of year and will not hit peak availability until November.
