The Current State of Global Lemon Harvests and Their Impact on Juice Prices

07 May The Current State of Global Lemon Harvests and Their Impact on Juice Prices

Lemon is a key product in the food industry and is currently at a crucial moment in the main producing countries. Argentina, Spain, and Italy—three global pillars in lemon production—are facing a series of challenges that are shaping the course of their current and future harvests and directly affecting the prices of both squeezed lemon nfc and concentrated juice worldwide.

Argentina: Lower Volume and Many Uncertainties
Argentina, the world’s leading exporter of industrial lemon derivatives, has suffered over the past two years from the combined effects of the worst drought in nearly a century and extreme heat waves. This has drastically reduced the size and quantity of available fruit. The 2023/24 campaign dropped by 11%, and projections for 2024/25 foresee a further decline to 1.4 million tons.
Climatic difficulties add to the country’s economic problems: inflation, high production costs, complicated logistics, and a general drop in profitability that has even led to the abandonment of some plantations. As a result, many producers have not harvested part of their fruit due to lack of profitability. In the short term, recent rains could improve fruit quality, but volume will remain limited.

Spain: From Oversupply to Balance
On the other side of the Atlantic, Spain experienced a record 2023/24 campaign, with over 1.59 million tons of lemons harvested. However, the oversupply led to a sharp drop in farmgate prices, leaving more than 350,000 tons unharvested due to lack of commercial demand.
For the new 2024/25 campaign, a 21% decrease is expected, which could help rebalance the market. This reduction is linked to both the lemon tree’s natural “alternate bearing” and climatic factors, especially last summer’s drought and heat. Even with the decrease, Spain will remain the leading European producer, accounting for 70% of the EU’s lemon production.

Italy: Lower Volume
Italy, focused on Sicily and with production geared more toward quality and derivative products like limoncello, also saw a 10% drop in 2023/24 due to heat waves and water restrictions. Its production is estimated to have reached around 500,000 tons. If drought continues in southern Italy, output may remain low. However, Italy offsets its smaller volume with a premium market positioning.

Juice Prices: Squeezed and Concentrated on the Rise
The general reduction in supply is pushing up the price of lemon juice, both in its concentrated and not-from-concentrate (NFC) versions. Currently, squeezed juice is experiencing a price increase compared to the beginning of the year, and the same goes for concentrate, which is already beginning to become scarce.

Outlook: Firm Prices and Close Attention to Climate
In the coming months, lemon juice prices are expected to remain firm or even continue to rise, driven by the lower availability of industrial fruit. Recovery of the harvests will depend on favorable weather in the Northern Hemisphere (spring-summer 2025) and stable logistics costs.
In summary, the lemon sector is in a period of transition: from oversupply to relative scarcity, with rising prices and many producers reassessing the profitability of their crops. A scenario that will continue to evolve, closely linked to climate change, global demand, and agricultural decisions in major producing countries.

Lemon Juice in Times of Scarcity: Baor Products Guarantees Premium, Conventional, and Organic Supply

The global lemon campaign is going through a delicate moment. Leading countries like Argentina, Spain, and Italy have seen reduced production due to extreme weather conditions, from historic droughts to heatwaves that have directly impacted flowering and fruit size.
In this context of lower global availability and rising prices, many food industries are struggling to find stable suppliers of squeezed and concentrated lemon juice. This is where Baor Products makes the difference.
At Baor Products, we are manufacturers and packers of lemon juice and lemon concentrate, both in conventional and organic versions, with international quality standards and the ability to adapt to various industrial needs. We maintain a stable stock of premium lemon, carefully selected and processed to ensure flavor, freshness, and functionality.

We offer:

Pasteurized NFC (Not From Concentrate) lemon juice, ideal for beverages and gourmet applications.

Lemon concentrate (400 GPL and other concentrations), with customizable profiles for technical formulations.

Certified organic options, environmentally friendly and aligned with the demand for natural ingredients.

In addition to guaranteeing full product traceability, we manage the entire process: from origin manufacturing to packaging and international logistics, adapting to industrial or custom formats upon request.

In times of reduced supply and growing uncertainty, Baor Products ensures continuity, quality, and commitment.
If you are looking for a reliable supplier of natural, conventional, or organic lemon juice, contact us. We are ready to continue being your trusted partner in the citrus world.