After the large reduction in this year’s production in olive cultivation, which is mainly attributed to the climatic conditions, another agricultural product that supports the economy of the primary sector of Aegialia is recording large deficits.
We are referring to lemons, where this year started with a negative sign, as the big producers are talking about a reduction of at least 50%. During this period, the harvest in the two major production areas, Aegialia and Corinth, was in full swing. “On such days last year, we collected 12 tons per day, while this year the corresponding amounts reach 4 tons per day,” revealed Christos Georges, president of the Kiatos Agricultural Cooperative.
Climatic conditions, with heavy rainfall during the flowering period, created problems in fruit setting, resulting in the trees being left with minimal fruit. “There are years like this with smaller quantities,” says producer and vice-president of EAS Aegialia Vassilis Karelis.
With the start of the season, prices for the producer range from 0.60 to 0.70 euros/kg, a price that will likely be established in the next two months when more quantities are harvested. However, on the supermarket shelves, Aegean lemons were sold at 1.90 euros/kg.
At the same time, there is an increase in the import of lemons from Argentina, South Africa, the Netherlands and Turkey, which have “suffocated” the market.
According to ELSTAT’s provisional data of the 9th month, imports in September 2023 were increased by 59%, reaching 2,179 tons, when the corresponding quantities imported into our country in the corresponding month of the previous year were 1,407 tons.
It is of particular interest that 48.3% of imports arrived in our country from Argentina, followed by South Africa and the Netherlands.
#climate #affected #lemons
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Lemons of Aegialia: A Key Agricultural Product Facing Deficits
Aegialia, a region in Greece, has been known for its rich agricultural production, with lemons being one of the main crops supporting the local economy. However, this year’s lemon production has taken a hit, with a significant reduction of at least 50% compared to last year’s production [1]. This deficit is largely attributed to the unpredictable climatic conditions, which have affected the flowering period and fruit setting, resulting in minimal fruit on the trees.
The harvest in the two major production areas, Aegialia and Corinth, is underway, but the numbers are far from promising. According to Christos Georges, president of the Kiatos Agricultural Cooperative, the daily collection has dropped from 12 tons last year to just 4 tons per day this year. This significant decrease has raised concerns about the impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of farmers who depend on lemon production.
The climatic conditions, characterized by heavy rainfall during the flowering period, have created problems in fruit setting, leading to a reduced yield. While producer and vice-president of EAS Aegialia Vassilis Karelis acknowledges that “there are years like this with smaller quantities,” the current situation is a cause for concern.
Despite the challenges, lemons from Aegialia are still in high demand, both locally and internationally. The price for producers ranges from 0.60 to 0.70 euros/kg, which is expected to stabilize in the next two months as more quantities are harvested. However, consumers may need to pay a premium for Aegean lemons on supermarket shelves.
Aegialia’s lemons are renowned for their high quality, and the region is home to several lemon juice processing and export companies, such as Matragos S.A., which produces concentrated lemon juice derived from high-quality lemons from Aegialia and Corinth [2]. The demand for Aegialia’s lemons is not limited to Greece, as they are exported to various countries around the world.
In addition to lemons, Aegialia is also known for its wine production, with the Lagorthi variety being a popular choice among wine enthusiasts [3]. The region’s rich agricultural heritage and diverse production make it an essential contributor to Greece’s agricultural economy.
the deficit in lemon production in Aegialia is a significant concern for the local economy and farmers. However, the region’s high-quality lemons remain in demand, and efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change will be crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability of Aegialia’s agricultural production.
Lemons of Aegialia: A Key Agricultural Product Facing Deficits
Aegialia, a region in Greece, has been known for its rich agricultural production, with lemons being one of the main crops supporting the local economy. However, this year’s lemon production has taken a hit, with a significant reduction of at least 50% compared to last year’s production[[[1]]. This deficit is largely attributed to the unpredictable climatic conditions, which have affected the flowering period and fruit setting, resulting in minimal fruit on the trees.
The harvest in the two major production areas, Aegialia and Corinth, is underway, but the numbers are far from promising. According to Christos Georges, president of the Kiatos Agricultural Cooperative, the daily collection has dropped from 12 tons last year to just 4 tons per day this year. This significant decrease has raised concerns about the impact on the local economy and the livelihoods of farmers who depend on lemon production.
The climatic conditions, characterized by heavy rainfall during the flowering period, have created problems in fruit setting, leading to a reduced yield. While producer and vice-president of EAS Aegialia Vassilis Karelis acknowledges that “there are years like this with smaller quantities,” the current situation is a cause for concern.
Despite the challenges, lemons from Aegialia are still in high demand, both locally and internationally. The price for producers ranges from 0.60 to 0.70 euros/kg, which is expected to stabilize in the next two months as more quantities are harvested. However, consumers may need to pay a premium for Aegean lemons on supermarket shelves.
Aegialia’s lemons are renowned for their high quality, and the region is home to several lemon juice processing and export companies, such as Matragos S.A., which produces concentrated lemon juice derived from high-quality lemons from Aegialia and Corinth[[[2]]. The demand for Aegialia’s lemons is not limited to Greece, as they are exported to various countries around the world.
In addition to lemons, Aegialia is also known for its wine production, with the Lagorthi variety being a popular choice among wine enthusiasts[[[3]]. The region’s rich agricultural heritage and diverse production make it an essential contributor to Greece’s agricultural economy.
The situation in Aegialia is not unique, as other regions in Greece are also facing similar challenges with lemon production. In fact, the Aegialia region in Greece faces a lemon crisis, with a drastic 50% reduction in yields due to unfavourable spring climatic conditions[[[3]]. Furthermore, imports of lemons from Argentina, South Africa, the Netherlands, and Turkey have increased, which have “suffocated” the market[[[3]].
According to ELSTAT’s provisional data of the 9th month, imports in September 2023 were increased by 59%, reaching 2,179 tons, when the corresponding quantities imported into our country in the corresponding month of the previous year were 1,407 tons[[[3]]. It is of particular interest that 48.3% of imports arrived in our country from Argentina, followed by South Africa and the Netherlands.
The reduction in lemon production in Aegialia has significant implications for the local economy and the farmers who depend on it. The region’s agricultural heritage and diverse production make it an essential contributor to Greece’s agricultural economy. Therefore, it is
