European Union (EU) lemon production is forecast at just over 1.6 million metric tons (MT) in 2023–24, up from the 1.5 million MT in 2022–23, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA FAS) recently reported.
The increase can be entirely attributed to an all-time-record production level in Spain, following the historically low lemon production there in 2022–23. Conversely, reduced lemon output is anticipated in Italy and Greece for 2023–24. Spain and Italy are the first and second largest EU lemon producers, accounting for nearly 65% and 30%, respectively, of the EU’s total lemon production.
With more than 11,500 hectares cultivated under organic practices since 2022, Spain has become the world’s leader in organic lemon area. In Spain, the combination of an increase in lemon acreage and favorable growing conditions has resulted in a production increase of more than 25% over the prior season, according to official sources.
The prior season (2022–23), termed “disastrous” by USDA FAS, was marked by precipitation negatively affecting flowering and fruit setting, as well as an extremely warm and dry summer. Industry sources point out that the summer heat was detrimental for lemon fruit sizes, and September hailstorms have caused some damage in lemon orchards.
In 2023–24, Italy is expecting a 10% decline in lemon production. Greece’s 2023–24 lemon production is expected to remain stable compared to previous season levels.
EU imports of lemons are expected to curb in 2023–24 as domestic supply is anticipated to be ample. South Africa, Brazil, and Argentina (during the off-season) and Turkey are the leading lemon suppliers to the EU market.
EU lemon exports are projected to be slightly above previous season levels in 2023–24. Main destinations for EU lemons, primarily shipped out of Spain, include the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway.
See the full USDA FAS report on EU citrus here.
Source: USDA FAS