Spanish lemon sales are still stagnant at the start of the campaign, with very low demand from European markets like France and the UK, where there is still supply from Chile and Argentina, and with strong pressure on prices which is slowing down both the harvesting and the handling in the packing plants.
According to Ailimpo, the Interprofessional Association of Lemon and Grapefruit, this situation is resulting in the closing of very few commercial operations and, consequently, in a reduction of prices at origin. At present, due to the lack of good calibres, Primofiori lemons with a size of 60 millimetres or more are the most sought after, reaching up to 0.62 Euro per kilo, with an average of 0.57 Euro per kilo, which Ailimpo considers a very profitable price, even higher than that of previous campaigns with similar harvest volumes.
However, the association expects the price to gradually adjust until a balance is reached between the field and the market, at which point sales will go quicker, making it harder, at the same time, for lemons of third countries, like Turkey, to compete in the same market.
Transition from Mexican to Mediterranean grapefruit
As regards grapefruit, the transition from Mexican to Mediterranean fruit has started recently, although according to Ailimpo, the Mediterranean has a lower quality compared to the Mexican, despite having a better visual appearance and a higher price, given that it is fresher. In mid-November, the first harvests are expected in Florida. All in all, prices for the small sizes are expected to be under pressure for all origins.