The Verna lemon harvest began some days ago and the season has been taking shape as the last batches of Fino lemons, whose campaign has been extended to the maximum this year, are coming to an end.
The Verna variety originated in the Vega del Segura, Murcia, and Alicante, but it is also produced in Andalusia. It is only cultivated in Spain, which allows the country to supply the European market with a lemon of European origin from May to July.
According to Spain's Lemon and Grapefruit Interbranch Association (Ailimpo), as a result of the historical production deficit in which the sector expects to produce 256,000 tons (i.e. 29% less than in 2022), prices in the production phase are 5% above the average of the last four years. Prices in the field range between 0.46 and 0.56€ per kilo, according to Murcia's Ministry of Agriculture.
“However, demand is still slow and very harsh on prices. Thus, we must insist that the change from Fino to Verna implies an improvement in fruit quality, the possibility of continuing to offer European consumers lemons with all the guarantees of the European production system, and -most important- having a fresh product, as it reaches the supermarkets 48 hours after being harvested,” Ailimpo stated.
Meanwhile, the first early volumes of South African lemons are reaching the EU and UK markets. "However, marketers are storing these shipments until more important volumes arrive that allow them to transition of origin," Ailimpo added.
The rapid fall in grapefruit supply creates tension in its sales and drives prices up
Mediterranean supply continues to decline as Spanish and Israeli volumes plummet at the end of the campaign. Meanwhile, early arrivals from South Africa are developing rapidly.
Volumes are still limited, but the quality of the fruit is very attractive, both for its flavor and for its appearance. Thus, the momentary decline in supply is creating tensions and sales are picking up. As a result, prices are rising slightly.
For more information: ailimpo.com