An iQonsulting report forecasts the Southern Hemisphere lemon season to finish with a 4% year-on-year fall in exports to 454,000 metric tons (MT), driven mainly by the July frosts in Chile and Argentina.

The market research agency also reported Chile's production was significantly affected by drought in the IV (Coquimbo) and V (Valparaiso) regions, which led to a reduction in fruit size.

IQonsulting also partly attributes the fall in shipments to external factors like competition with Spanish lemons on the market.

Around 95% of production was complete in week 36 with the Argentine season just about finished, with only a few orchards remaining for harvest. It is expected collections will continue in South Africa until week 39.

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iQonsulting/ edited by www.freshfruitportal