From mid-September lemons were sold by the growers for between 25 Euro cents to 31 cents; with the announcement of Russia’s embargo against Turkey this December, prices have increased to 53 cents.
Lemon exporters are overjoyed by Russia’s statement “We will not stop lemon imports.” With yields also being low this year, the news has created something of a golden era for lemons. After the Turkish-Russian crisis, lemon prices temporarily stabilised, but the Russia’s decision not to stop lemon imports put an end to this. Demand for the fruit from other countries aside from Russia caused a recent lemon boom. Mersin’s Erdemli district covers 65% of Turkey’s annual 500,000 tons of lemon production; last year cold weather during the flowering period led to an at least 30% reduction in yield. Farmers are experiencing the positive effects of this low yield. Last week lemons from the trees were sold for 43 cents, this has now increased to 53 cents.
“Both farmers and exporters happy”
Exporter Yilmaz Ates assesses the situation, "This year's lemon prices have put a smile on farmers' faces due to the fact that the harvest is at least 30% lower. Last week the prices slumped due to the Russian crisis. Exports were dominated by uncertainty in terms. Russia’s statement “we will not stop lemon imports” brought prices back to the same level, reinvigorated them even due to excess demand. Both farmers and exporters are happy," he said.
Ates continues, “Aside from Russia, lemons are being sent to Romania, Bulgaria, Arab countries, Ukraine, even Dubai. As we are approaching New Year, this is the most popular time for lemon exports. We hope the situation will continue like this.”
