W50 Lemon and Lime Update: China Lifts Lemon Import Restrictions from Uruguay, El Niño Impacted Citrus Prices in Peru, and Tahiti Acid Lime Prices Drop in Brazil

China Approves Fresh Lemon Imports from Uruguay, Lifting Restrictions in Place Since 2017

On November 29, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) announced the approval of fresh lemon imports from Uruguay, lifting restrictions that were in place since 2017. With this announcement, Uruguay can now export all categories of citrus fruits to China. The second-largest citrus fruit exporter in Latin America, Uruguay, has approximately 15 thousand hectares (ha) dedicated to citrus cultivation, with lemon production accounting for 23.5% of the total. The country exports about 45% of its citrus production to various markets.

China has identified seven quarantine pests of concern for citrus imports from Uruguay, including the South American fruit fly and the Mediterranean fruit fly. Orchards seeking to export citrus fruits to China must adhere to good agricultural practices and integrated pest management techniques. Citrus fruits destined for China must come from fruit fly-free growing regions or undergo cold treatment during transport. Specifically, lemons must undergo cold treatment at 3° Celsius or lower for at least 24 days.

El Niño Phenomenon Expected to Cause Peruvian Lemon Prices to Rise

The head of the Regional Agriculture Management in Peru has announced that the price of lemons is expected to increase due to the El Niño phenomenon . The reduction in crops caused by the phenomenon is anticipated to lead to a scarcity of lemons, resulting in higher prices. They highlighted farmers' inefficiency in using available water resources, emphasizing that only 35% of the liquid element is efficiently utilized for daily activities. Additionally, he mentioned concerns about the potential scarcity of olive trees due to the situation. Despite efforts to mitigate the impact on citizens, the agency's actions will primarily focus on supporting farmers affected by the economic consequences of the El Niño phenomenon.

Tahiti Acid Lime Prices Drop in Brazil Due to Increased Supply in W50

Tahiti acid lime prices dropped in Brazil in W50 due to increased supply. The increased supply was influenced by rains facilitating fruit development and prompting more harvesting. The decline in processing and export activities has also decreased overall prices. In W50 the average price for Tahiti acid lime was reportedly USD 3.88 per 27-kilogram box (BRL 19.16/27 kg box), a 24.5% week-on-week (WoW) decrease.