Spain: The lemon harvest that ends the campaign with the collection of 990,000 tons falls by 4%

The article reports on the conclusion of the lemon harvest in Spain, which saw a decrease of 4% in production compared to the previous year, totaling 990,000 tons, due to unfavorable weather conditions during flowering. Despite this setback, prices at the origin have remained stable and higher than production costs, showing the resilience of the lemon industry in the face of increased non-EU competition and inflation. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has impacted lemon marketing in Eastern and Central Europe. Although Spanish lemon production is primarily in the Region of Murcia, the Valencian Community, and Andalusia, with 80% being the Fino or Primafiori variety and the rest Verna, the consumption in Europe has risen, with significant increases in shipments to France and the Czech Republic. Germany, France, and the UK continue to be the main markets for Spanish lemons, making Spain the world leader in fresh lemon exports and the second-largest processor, with an annual turnover of approximately 700 million euros.