SA lemons are a hot export item

As the SA citrus season gets going lemons are already predicted to be a hot item, reports Freshplaza.com.

“Traditionally,” it added, “Europe likes medium sizes, Japan big sizes while the Middle and Far East prefer smaller lemons.”

Adding to this year’s potential for SA is the fact that Argentina is still recovering from last year’s frost and has had a lot of rain.

Until now the Middle East has been very good, according to an exporter, adding that China is also extremely good. This Chinese demand is while early season prices are still high, but the exporter predicts the prices will drop as supply increases.

“SA is not the only country supplying China,” he added, “but demand is so big the prices will remain good.”

According to Ocean South Fresh – which has offices in Russia - there is a lemon shortage in that country. “Russia gets lemons from Turkey and other northern hemisphere countries, but there is already demand for southern hemisphere fruit,” said a company statement.

“But they are not prepared to pay high prices like the Middle and Far East. They also like the bigger sizes, which are in short supply.”