Pink lemons, originally from California, will start entering the European market in about two years. Belsan Lemons has planted 3,000 trees and expects to grow about 200,000 kilos in about 5 or 6 years. "We have bet on the crop in one of our farms, to see if it works," states Francisco V. Gea. "We are innovating; we see that the markets are open and want to see new things," explains Gea.
This type of lemon, whose main characteristic is that its pulp is pink and its skin has green lines, is not yet 100% available in Spain. Initially, it would be intended for catering and food services, such as restaurants, hotels, etc. "It's a more gourmet product," clarifies Gea. "Its flavour does not differ from the traditional one, and the advantage we have is that if it is left for longer in the tree, its skin becomes totally yellow;" this way, this Murcia-based company is making a low risk bet, knowing that it will always be able to sell the product.
Several countries have already shown their interest in these pink lemons, such as Sweden, Norway, Finland, France or the UK. "There are good prospects in the international market, with prices oscillating between 3 and 4 Euro per kilo," adds Gea.
For more information:
Francisco Vicente Gea Belmonte
Belsán SL
Tel. +34 630943670