Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Fresh Interdonato lemon is an early-season lemon cultivar produced in Türkiye’s Eastern Mediterranean citrus belt, with commercial supply associated with provinces such as Mersin, Adana, and Hatay. It is commonly positioned as an export-grade variety marketed early in the Northern Hemisphere citrus season, but it is often described as less suitable for extended storage than storage-oriented lemon cultivars. Official statistics and most public trade datasets typically do not separate lemons by cultivar, so Interdonato trade is usually captured under aggregated lemon categories. Market access and trade continuity for Turkish lemons are strongly influenced by phytosanitary documentation and residue-compliance performance in destination markets.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter (lemons generally aggregated; Interdonato is an early-season export cultivar)
SeasonalityInterdonato is marketed as an early-season lemon in Türkiye, with harvest and shipment programs typically starting in September and extending into winter depending on program and region.
Specification
Primary VarietyInterdonato
Physical Attributes- Smooth, thin rind commonly described as light green to yellow depending on maturity
- Greenish-yellow flesh commonly described in commercial specifications
- Sensitive to dehydration/decay if temperature and humidity are not controlled in transit
Compositional Metrics- Juice content, acidity, and other internal-quality checks are commonly used as buyer acceptance parameters for lemons
Grades- UNECE FFV-14 citrus classes (e.g., Extra Class, Class I, Class II) are commonly referenced for commercial quality conformity
Packaging- Export cartons commonly include 10 kg and 15 kg formats (carton boxes and telescopic cartons) depending on buyer specification
- Packaging and labeling commonly follow destination-market and buyer program requirements for fresh citrus
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Orchard harvest -> field sorting -> packhouse washing/grading/sizing -> packing -> pre-cooling/cold storage -> reefer transport (truck/sea) -> importer/wholesale distribution
Temperature- Temperature-managed handling is used to limit dehydration, decay, and chilling injury risk during storage and transport
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation and ethylene management may be used to slow senescence and maintain rind condition during storage/transport
Shelf Life- Interdonato is often described as less suitable for extended storage than later-season storage-oriented lemons, so commercial programs may prioritize faster movement to market
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Food Safety HighEU market access disruption risk: Turkish citrus (including lemons) has been associated with repeated RASFF pesticide-residue notifications and increased scrutiny; non-compliant consignments can be rejected at the border and trigger heightened inspection intensity and commercial disruption.Implement residue-risk management (GAP adherence, controlled pesticide program, pre-harvest intervals) and use accredited pre-shipment residue testing against destination-market MRLs for each lot.
Logistics MediumCold-chain deviation risk: temperature/humidity mismanagement or delays can increase dehydration, decay, or chilling-injury symptoms and lead to claims, downgrades, or rejection by program buyers.Specify reefer setpoints and monitoring, avoid prolonged exposure below chilling-sensitive thresholds, and align harvest maturity with transit duration and destination handling plan.
Labor And Social Compliance MediumBuyer audit and reputational risk: seasonal agriculture in Türkiye has documented child-labor elimination initiatives and ongoing concerns in parts of the sector; export programs may face stricter social-compliance requirements and monitoring expectations.Apply documented due diligence for seasonal labor (worker registration where required, age-verification controls, grievance channels, and third-party social audits for exporter/packer operations).
Labor & Social- Seasonal agricultural labor conditions (including risks of informality and child labor) are a recognized compliance theme in Türkiye’s seasonal agriculture context; citrus harvest programs relying on seasonal labor may face elevated buyer-audit scrutiny
FAQ
When is Interdonato lemon typically harvested in Türkiye?Commercial harvest calendars commonly place Türkiye’s Interdonato lemon window from September into winter (often through December or January), particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean citrus region.
Is Interdonato lemon suitable for long-term storage?Interdonato is frequently described as less suitable for extended storage than storage-oriented lemon cultivars, so programs often prioritize faster movement and tighter cold-chain discipline after packing.
Which quality grading reference is commonly used for fresh lemons in international trade?UNECE’s FFV-14 citrus standard is a common reference for marketing quality, including class-based grading (e.g., Extra Class, Class I, Class II) and minimum quality expectations.
What phytosanitary document is central for exporting fresh lemons from Türkiye?A phytosanitary certificate issued by Türkiye’s National Plant Protection Organisation is a core document for plant-health compliance, and Türkiye provides an official online/QR verification system for these certificates.