Seven Fields has 100 acres of lemon orchards in Katherine in the Northern Territory, "Good weather conditions have led to the good quantity and quality lemons and we hope to harvest around 1600 400kg bins this season, explains Richard.The company is increasing volumes this year as young trees have come into production, plus they have also made big improvements in their management systems.
There has been a shortage of lemons on the domestic market for a while, this is normal from November to March, but was made worse this year by the floods in Queensland in January last year. At one point lemons were fetching $2 each in the markets, Richard said that they are now going for around $1.00 and he doesn't expect the price to drop too much and that consumers are willing to pay this price for them.
Seven Fields also have 30 acres of lemon orchards in Mildura, Victoria in the south of the country. The harvest there won't start till June - July.
Richard expects the main citrus crop in Victoria to start at the end of April with early Navels, moving onto Mid-season Navels and mandarins in late May. Navel volumes should be similar to last year, with the easy peeler crop being lighter due to the many days of record temperatures in January in February of above 40°C.
For more information:
Richard Byllaardt
Seven Fields
Tel: +61 418 807636
Email: richard.byllaardt@sevenfields.com.au
www.sevenfields.com.au