The second lemon harvest estimation from AILIMPO for the 2015/2016 campaign confirms the data published in July, which predicted a Spanish production of 850,000 tonnes; a figure 23% below that of the previous season, when an exceptional record production (1,100,000 tonnes) was achieved. The decline is cyclical and is due to adverse weather conditions at the flowering and setting stages in the spring, which affects mainly the late varieties. AILIMPO has also confirmed that the quality is exceptional thanks to the enforcement of good agricultural practices.
For Fino/Primofiori lemons, a very moderate reduction is expected in the first half and a more marked one during the second half of the campaign. The rains in September have been very favourable and should ensure an adequate supply from late September up to March.
For Verna lemons, the drop is expected to be greater, although this prospect must be updated depending on January's rainfall, development of calibres, etc.
As already stated in July, this harvest volume (850,000 tonnes) is described as "normal, considering it is in an almost identical figure to the average for the last seven campaigns."
Start of the campaign
The lemon campaign in the southern hemisphere is already coming to an end; the last batches are currently being sold, giving way to the start of the Spanish lemon campaign in the coming weeks.
About Ailimpo
Ailimpo is an interprofessional organisation at national level, based in Murcia, officially recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture and the European Commission, which represents the economic interests of producers, cooperatives, exporters and processors of lemon and grapefruit in Spain; a sector that generates 620 million Euro per year.
Some of its tasks include ensuring the proper functioning of the food chain, preparing standard agro-food contracts and develop methods to control and rationalise the use of plant protection products to ensure product quality and environmental protection, as well as the promotion of quality standards and excellence in the sector.