US: Chilean lemon season in full swing

“We are in the middle of the Chilean lemon season and supplies are very good,” says Eric Gingrich with Earth Source Trading. “The fruit came early, but the timing was perfect as the California lemon season wrapped up early this year.” 

Typically, Chile starts shipping mid-June and it takes a few weeks for volumes to be significant. This year however, the country started shipping a week early with twice as much volume as it normally ships in the beginning of the season. “Good weather at the time of harvest allowed Chile to move a lot of volume from the beginning. The lack of rain also makes for good quality, shape and color on the lemons,” added Gingrich.

“Historically high prices at the beginning of the season also encouraged growers to ship larger volumes. Since mid-June, prices have come down to more normal levels and I expect them to come down a bit more during the next few weeks,” said Gingrich. 

Chile will harvest its lemons through the last week of August or the first week of September. They will be shipped for the US market until mid-September and arrive at the end of the month. Consumers should be able to buy them until mid-October. “The summer heat is great for lemon consumption,” mentioned Gingrich. “Warmer weather encourages people to drink more lemonade and do more outdoor grilling both of which increase lemon consumption in general.” 

Earth Source Trading recently introduced a new product to their line of citrus offerings: the Green Bee Lemon & Lime Combo Bag. It’s a 2lbs. mesh bag that includes about four to five lemons as well as four to five limes. The product can be found at high-end retailers. “It is really successful,” said Gingrich. “It brought us incremental new sales, but hasn’t taken away from the loose lemons and limes sold in the store.” The lemons for the combo pack are sourced in Chile as well as domestically. The limes are all sourced in Mexico.

For more information:

Eric Gingrich

Tel: (+1) 717-721-2853