Peruvian Tahiti Lemon Exports Increased by 82% So Far This Season

Published 2022년 7월 8일

The global demand for Tahiti lemons increased, which has incentivized the increase in the planting area of Tahiti lemons in Peru to 25K hectares. In 2021, Tahiti lemon exports reached 17,878 tons, representing a 75.57% YoY increase and a 176.36% rise since 2018. During the first three months of 2022, Tahiti lemon exports surpassed 8.91K tons for a FOB value of USD 9.39M, representing a 52% YoY increase in volume and a 71% YoY increase in value.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the demand for Tahiti lemons and other citruses increased due to their high vitamin C level. The increased demand has incentivized the expansion of the planting area of Tahiti lemons in Peru by thousands of hectares every year. Peru has 25K hectares dedicated to Tahiti lemon production. The areas that hold the most Tahiti lemon production are Lambayaque and Piura. Peruvian Tahiti lemons are available year-round, but the main harvest occurs from December to March.

Peruvian Tahiti lemon producers seek to produce high-quality lemons that hold a competitive advantage in the global market. Tahiti lemons need the correct temperature, irrigation, and fertilization to achieve the export quality standards. Plantations need to be maintained under adequate management of water resources and pest control to allow fruits to have better color, more juice, and higher acidity.

This season Peruvian Tahiti lemons face complications in production. Olmos, which usually holds the perfect temperature for production, faces lower production due to colder weather that causes slower fruit growth and affects the size and the quality of lemons. Additionally, crops in the whole region face phytosanitary threats due to pests. The primary pests affecting Tahiti lemons are red spider mite, citrus miner, mealybugs, aphids, anthracnose, and botrytis. Peruvian producers fumigate every 10 to 15 days to maintain healthy crops.

Last year Tahiti lemon exports reached 17,878 tons, representing a 75.57% increase from the 10,183 tons exported in 2020 and a 176.36% growth from the 6,469 tons exported in 2018. In 2021, 53% of Peruvian Tahiti lemon exports went to Chile. Other important export destinations were the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Source: Red Agricola Peru

So far this year, Peruvian Tahiti lemon exports show a positive trend from 2021. During the first three months of the year, Tahiti lemon exports surpassed 8.91K tons for a FOB value of USD 9.39M. This year's exports represent a 52% YoY increase from the 2021 volume of 5.82K tons and a 71% increase from the USD 5.46M FOB value. According to AGRARIA, the Peruvian Agricultural News Agency, from January to May 2022, Peruvian Tahiti lemon exports showed an 82% YoY growth. Forecasts indicate that the only Peruvian citrus that will increase exports in 2022 is Tahiti lemons.