In response to the concerns of a few Dutch importers as regards the lemon market, Giuseppe Campisi (coordinator of the Lemon Committee at the Ortofrutta Italia interbranch organisation and entrepreneur) explained that there does not seem to be a reason for the drastic drop in prices.
"It is true that production in Sicily should be 20-25% larger than last year and Spain should be the same. We mustn't forget though, that volumes were really low last year, so we are just going back to normal."
Rainfall in Sicily favoured good grades and juiciness. "Fruits are healthy and appealing, so we are quite optimistic as regards the campaign. Harvesting will start in 20 days' time and the produce should be available until June."
At the moment, as domestic lemons are not available yet, there is a lot of produce from Spain, which definitely looks good but the peel is not edible as lemons are treated after harvesting.
"Supplies from the southern hemisphere, e.g. from South Africa and Argentina, are ending and this is why prices are dropping - operators are selling everything at lower prices to avoid having large quantities with poor shelf-life in stock. There is no reason to panic."
After yellow lemons, it will be the turn of Verdello lemons. "Green lemons are still relatively unknown. In the past, consumers used to be very sceptical, but lately they have been used in cocktails instead of limes and their juice is even sweeter."
"Supplies from the southern hemisphere, e.g. from South Africa and Argentina, are ending and this is why prices are dropping - operators are selling everything at lower prices to avoid having large quantities with poor shelf-life in stock. There is no reason to panic."
After yellow lemons, it will be the turn of Verdello lemons. "Green lemons are still relatively unknown. In the past, consumers used to be very sceptical, but lately they have been used in cocktails instead of limes and their juice is even sweeter."