This year's lemon supply is lower than normal due to unfavorable weather conditions during the flowering and fruit development period. Despite this, Spanish lemon sales have been stagnating since the beginning of 2023.
January is always a difficult month for many product sales, a problem that seems to have spread into February, according to the Inter-branch Association for Lemons and Grapefruit, AILIMPO.
"Europe's supply still consists mainly of Spanish Fino lemons. The available volumes are lower than the historical average due to the smaller harvest, which seems adequate in a context where exports have decreased as demand falls because of the high inflation; a phenomenon that is actually unknown to most consumers. Exports have fallen by around 14%. The strongest decline has taken place in Germany.”
According to the latest update of Spanish harvest estimates published at the end of January by AILIMPO, the decline in Fino lemon should stand at around 17% below the average of the last four years.
Moreover, according to the inter-branch organization, there is hardly any competition in the market because the frost affected the Turkish harvest. "And yet there is no euphoria in the market at all. The demand remains extremely linear and sales, mainly driven by promotions, are too quiet." The average price of Fino lemon ranged between €0.32 and €0.38 per kilo during week 7.
Demand for grapefruit is very weak and output is slow
The European grapefruit market remains very stable. "Supply remains limited because a frost caused a sharp drop in Turkish production and Spain has experienced a more moderate production decline. In addition, poor weather conditions in the Mediterranean have delayed and strongly reduced Israeli and Moroccan exports,” AILIMPO reported.
“In theory, this context should benefit sales. However, demand remains very weak and outflows are slow, both in retail programs and at wholesale markets. As a result, prices remain stable.”
For more information:
AILIMPO
C/ Villaleal, 3
30001 Murcia (España)
Tel.: +34 968216619
www.ailimpo.com