Growers have closed the first stage of the Fino lemon campaign with "highly profitable" prices at origin, despite the decline in harvest volumes. Producers have received an average of 0.54 Euro per kilo, which is more than twice as much as the production costs, which are estimated at about 0.20 Euro/kilo.
"The season kicked off with all time high prices at origin and on the market. As the campaign picked up pace, prices started falling, although at a higher rate in the case of sales prices on the market, while those at origin remained more stable," said the general director of the Interprofessional for Lemon and Grapefruit (Ailimpo), Jose Antonio García.
The 2015/2016 season started in September without any issues, helped by the early end of the campaign in the southern hemisphere, traditional competitors for Murcian citrus.
García said they also confirmed the expected decline in the harvest, as the total volume reached 850,000 tonnes, compared to the record figure achieved in the preceding year, which was higher than 1,100,000 tonnes. That is, around a 20% drop. The weather conditions during the flowering of the trees have been to blame for this decline, which also caused a decline in the calibre of the fruits.
Producers, however, are satisfied with the results, since "in general, and especially during the first few weeks, the marketing results have been extraordinary, despite the predominance of small calibres," said the general director.
In fact, industrial processing activities have been very limited in this first part of the campaign.
Sales
As regards sales outside the borders of Spain, the first part of the season ended with a 14% decline, although this has not taken a toll in the final economic results. Two reasons are put forward: the smaller harvest and the greater presence in the European markets of Turkish lemons, the main competitor for Spanish producers.
From 1 September to 31 December, 170,000 tonnes of lemons were exported from Spain (about 80% from the Region of Murcia), compared to 198,000 tonnes in the same period last season.
"Turkey started selling in Europe earlier than usual, just two weeks after us, and has been present for longer than usual in the markets of Eastern Europe, especially Poland, which is a major lemon consumer," argued García.
Murcian producers, due to their smaller harvest, have given priority to their traditional customers, i.e. European, over more distant countries, such as the Middle and Far East, Brazil and Canada.
Nevertheless, Spain is still the world leader when it comes to lemon exports, and within the country, Murcia accounts for 80 percent of the total (60 percent produced in the Region), with the remaining 20 percent coming from the Vega Baja (in Alicante), Almeria and Malaga.
With regard to the second stage of the Fino campaign, Ailimpo is still waiting to see how the situation in the markets will develop from February, since January is traditionally marked by a decrease in consumption. This year's unusual winter weather, with high temperatures, can also affect the size and quality of the product.
Source: laopiniondemurcia.es
