Demand for lemons is currently high, but the volumes just can't keep up. This is mostly related to the shortages that developed during cultivation in Argentina. Over half of the lemons couldn't be harvested. The Spanish lemon season was already a month longer this year. That's what Peter Maes of importing company Zeghers says. "We were still selling plenty of Spanish Verna lemons until late June/early July. The quality was great, my supplier in Spain had made a really good choice when purchasing the lemons in the orchards."
He indicates that customers are usually 'done' sooner than the Spanish lemons. "Normally, customers are starting to complain about the quality of Spanish Vernas around the beginning of June, but now everyone was disappointed that it was over."
Shortages
Two weeks ago, Zeghers started with the Argentine season. "Our first containers with Argentine lemons arrived at the end of week 28. At first, I wasn't really satisfied with the quality. But because of the market situation, everything was sold quickly at high prices." At the end of this week, another supply will come in at Zeghers. "The market is really sensitive. Prices are already at 1.50, the same level as when we stopped with the Spanish ones. I suspect the prices will increase even more, and I can't predict where it will end. The coming weeks, supplies are really very low. If there are genuine shortages, we will acquire lemons from South Africa and Chile."
For more information:
Peter Maes
Zeghers N.V.
Europees Centrum
Werkhuizenkaai 112/154
Magazijn 30/31
1000 Brussel - België
Tel: +32-22424596
Fax: +32-22420448
www.zeghers.be