© Fruchtagentur GmbH Altes Land
The supply of Italian lemons is now coming to an end. "The weather in Sicily has been very unstable this year, with heavy rainfall. This has not been seen in the past 15 years and has led to some quality problems with our Demeter, organic, and untreated lemons," summarizes Thomas Heeren (right) from the Fruchtagentur Altes Land, who sources his produce from the producer P.A.S.A.M. Agrumi in Sicily. Prices are stable during this period and roughly on par with last year.
The fruit agency is currently focusing on marketing the Maggiolini variety. However, due to the aforementioned quality issues, the season is expected to end early. Heeren: "We expect to be able to offer Maggiolini until mid-June, whereas in other years we have sometimes shipped produce until early/mid-July." Once the season is over, there will be a gap before the first green lemons of the Verdelli variety hit the market at the beginning of August, followed by the main variety, Primofiori, at the end of September.
© Fruchtagentur GmbH Altes Land
Despite the difficult conditions this season, both supply and demand were good, according to Heeren, who serves a diverse customer base consisting of organic shops, wholesalers, and markets, as well as food retailers. "Untreated lemons come mainly from Italy and Spain, so there is always some competition. Spain also experienced weather-related shortages in certain areas this year, but these were largely offset." Meanwhile, competition from overseas produce, such as from South Africa or Argentina, is minimal.
© Fruchtagentur GmbH Altes Land
Stable consumption and cultivation
According to Heeren, consumption of untreated, organic, and Demeter-certified lemons has consolidated in recent years. The same applies to cultivation on the sun-drenched island of Sicily. "Despite climate change, we have almost the same volume available this year," says Heeren, who, in addition to lemons, is also involved in the procurement and marketing of other Italian fruits such as clementines, oranges, melons, stone fruit, and grapes. "In the blond and blood orange sector, there were similar weather-related challenges as with lemons. For melons, on the other hand, the season is just getting underway, and the quality so far is encouraging. We are also expecting the first conventional and organic grapes to arrive soon. However, prices are still very high compared to those of overseas produce still available on the market," he concludes.
© Fruchtagentur GmbH Altes Land
For more information:
Thomas Heeren
Fruchtagentur GmbH Altes Land
Westerjork 95
D-21635 Jork
Tel: +49 (0) 41 62 / 25 44 9 - 0
[email protected]
www.fruchtagentur.de
