An Argentine group that ensures quality standards for lemon exports believes it will have to be 'creative and proactive' this coming season, amid anticipated harvest volumes that will be up to 20% lower than normal and challenging financial issues in major markets. 

All Lemon said the production forecast was an improvement on last year but was still down on 'regular' levels, partly as the trees were still recovering from severe frosts in 2013 and a drought in the spring of 2013 and the summer of 2014.

In addition, the group said there was a 'productive disorder' affecting many lemon trees that would also take its toll on the 2015 campaign.

"Looking at the global lemon production situation that our campaign will enter in 2015, it's important to point out that low temperatures are being recorded in some Northern Hemisphere production areas that could still affect fruit that is yet to be harvested - specifically in Spain and Turkey," All Lemon president Romain Corneille said in a release.

"Undoubtedly these are variables that must be mentioned as these areas produce lemons at the beginning and end of our campaign, and we need to work out the volumes that All Lemon will supply."

Corneille added that in addition to the production's 'complex physiological situation', the devaluing currencies in two of Argentina's biggest markets - the EU and Russia - would also throw up some problems.

"It is precisely in this kind of adverse scenario where we have to be creative and proactive to really reenforce our position as a global leader. We will persevere with the formula that has always proved successful: working tirelessly on the quality of our control processes," Corneille said.

"Knowing their lemons that have been well looked after and professionally audited gives assurances to the client," All Lemon vice president Carlos Parravicini said.

"With this in mind, All Lemon has raised its quality standards season after season, introducing ever more detailed classification procedures and raising the bar to the highest levels when it comes to deciding which lemons should or should not be packed into a box for export.

"While this coming season may be more complex than usual due to various biological and macroeconomic factors, which are out of our control, the clients have our assurance that we shall continue to work with the utmost care and detail to ensure that they will only be supplied with the very best lemons."

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