40% less lemon have been sent from the Southern Hemisphere to Europe in 2014, excluding Russia and the UK, which corresponds to around 100,000 tons.
As the leading provider of lemons in the European market, with a share of 74% in the past year, Argentina has experienced a 55% drop in shipments, which represents 110,000 tons less than in the previous season, its participation has dropped to 54% so far in 2014, with 91,500 tons shipped. Nevertheless, against this drop, South Africa has come to partially offset this decline of Argentina, increasing its shipments by 9%, reaching 66,500 tons to date, 5,200 tons more than in 2013, however, this increase has not been enough to compensate the Argentina’s fall.
Other suppliers such as Uruguay, have also supplemented this market but with low participation, so far have sent a total of 8,600 tons, 15% more than the previous year, while Australia and Peru have had a very low share, with about 50 tons between both.
Currently there are few importers who handle Southern Hemisphere fruit and the sales have been swift, despite the high prices which reach an average of 0.5 Euro per kilo higher than in 2013, reaching about 2 EUR/kg at week 33.
