Spain’s lemon is confidently forecasting improved price and production levels this season thanks in part to an increase in consumption of the fruit in the country.
According to Spanish citrus association Ailimpo, in keeping with the trend seen during the previous campaign, volumes are likely to reach normal levels this season compared with the 25 per cent fall in production that occurred during the 2005/06 and 2006/07 campaigns.
In a statement, the group said the previous difficulties had largely been as a result of overproduction, a factor which had led to poor prices and considerable net losses for growers.
However, Ailimpo said a return to normal levels of production in Spain combined with reduced output from competitor nations had led to greatly improved prospects for this campaign.
The lemon sector’s outlook has also been aided by rising consumption of the fruit in Spain. According to figures from the Spanish ministry of agriculture, lemon consumption in the country now stands at 3.24 kilos per capita, which amounts to an average annual expenditure on the fruit of €6.90.
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