Expectations are that lemon prices will soar in the coming period. Currently, prices are already at a good level, but it is expected that they will be even higher next week, according to Peter Maes of import company Zeghers from Brussels. “I have never experienced this before in my entire career,” he says.
Maes still had the strain Primofiori in stock, but this will be depleted by the end of the week. “We will start on Verna then and we are expecting an increase in prices of 40 to 50 per cent. Currently prices are between 1.40 and 1.50, and they will probably be around 2.25 then.” According to several Spanish sources production is Spain is much lower. “I do not belief this is the only reason. It is a weird situation, and to me it is a mystery that prices are this high.”
Big question mark
Maes is satisfied with the Primofiori season so far. “We generally had few problems. Quality was good. Demand was also fine, but that might possibly change now. We do not know exactly how much we are going to import, because it is too much of a question mark if customers want to pay this high a price for lemons. It is difficult to say how the coming weeks will sell, so we will have to wait and see.”
For more information:
Zeghers N.V.
Peter Maes
Europees Centrum
Werkhuizenkaai 112/154
Magazijn 30/31
1000 Brussel - België
Tel: +32-22424596
Fax: +32-22420448
www.zeghers.be (nieuw!)