Murcia confirms sharp drop in Fino lemon harvest

The agricultural organisation ASAJA Murcia has confirmed a major fall in the Fino lemon harvest for the 2025–2026 season. Production is expected to be 40–45% lower than last year, mainly due to a mix of weather problems, pest attacks, and water issues affecting the region’s lemon groves.

According to ASAJA Murcia, rain and unstable weather in March damaged many trees and reduced fruit quality. Growers also faced serious pest infestations, including mites, red spider mites, and scale insects. The situation worsened because some plant protection products are now banned under EU regulations, leaving farmers with fewer treatment options.

Another factor behind the decline is the poor quality of irrigation water in certain growing areas, which has weakened the trees and limited fruit development. In addition, the previous season’s overproduction led to fruit being harvested late or left uncollected, which further stressed the orchards.

Despite these challenges, the initial market prices for lemons are positive. Regular fruit is selling for around €0.65–0.70 per kilogram, while premium lemons reach €0.80–0.85 per kilogram. However, ASAJA Murcia warns that high production costs and yield losses mean many farmers may not see real profits this year.

The organisation added that the final size of the harvest will largely depend on how the spider mite population evolves in the coming weeks, as heavy infestations could cause additional damage.

source: asaja.com, agraria.pe

photo: tastingtable.com