“Pricing has actually been lower than it has been over the last two years,” noted David Stone with Valhalla Sales and Marketing in Kingsburg, California. Part of that may be due to an especially strong market last year caused by fewer Chilean shipments, added Stone, but demand for lemons has been sufficient this summer to still make for a robust market.
On July 25, prices for California lemons were between $38.05 and $46.05 for a carton of 95s, between $32.05 and $36.05 for a cartons of 165s, and between $22.05 and $26.05 for a carton of 235s. At the beginning of the month, prices were between $40.05 and $44.05 for a carton of 95s, between $32.05 and $36.05 for a carton of 165s, and between $20.05 and $25.05 for a carton of 235s.
But a few factors could shift pricing in the near future. It's still not clear if any of the several wildfires burning in California will affect production. Additionally, the amount of import shipments could boost the volume of available fruit and bring down prices.
“Mexican lemons will arrive in a couple of weeks,” noted Stone. “For now, the market is phenomenal for both domestic fruit and Chilean imports.”
