Good growing conditions and a strong export market for Meyer lemons have set New Zealand growers up for a strong season in 2016.
While the lemon season doesn’t start until mid-May, Managing Director of First Fresh Ian Albers says he expects volumes to be slightly higher than in 2015.
“It’s a little early to tell what the season will be like at the moment until we commence with crop forecasts in 2-3 weeks” he says.
“Meyer lemons, which are our main export lemon, are shaping up to be a good crop. My gut feeling is they’ll probably be about 20% up on last year.”
Meyer lemons are known for their sweetness compared to other lemon varieties, as well as an orange-tinged skin. The NZ Meyer has been very well received in the US.
First Fresh exports up to 1000 tonnes of Meyer lemons per year, and moves an additional 500 tonnes in domestic NZ markets, selling under the brand name First®. Sizing normally peaks on 165’s and 140’s and these are preferred sizes by most buyers.
The company has about 70% of New Zealand’s total export of the popular lemon variety, with the US taking the majority of their shipments. Mr Albers says Japan has also been the “backbone of our exports for the last 15-20 years”, while China is more an emerging market.
First Fresh has more than 30 growers in the Gisborne area that supply us Meyer Lemons.
“Growers range in size and scope but the average farm is probably around 2 hectares,” Mr Albers says.
“New plantings and young orchards still to reach full production will see the available volume continue to increase. This is a good thing as demand definitely outstripped supply in 2015 and the outlook for 2016 is also very positive.”
Mr Albers says the current growing conditions are looking good for the season, despite predicted El Niño weather patterns that would normally lead to hot and dry weather that could affect the trees.
“So far we’ve got enough rain and enough heat for our crops,” Mr Albers says.
“It’ll be what happens through January and February that makes a difference for the final fruit counts.”
While Meyer lemon trees can supply some fruit throughout the year, the peak season in New Zealand is from May to September, or autumn and winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
