Lemon Crop for 2022: Southern Hemisphere Outlook

Written and Published by BMT Foods, March 29, 2022

With Spring upon us, the BMT Foods team would like to update our customers on the state of the Southern Hemisphere lemon crop this year. As we move through 2022, the Southern Hemisphere is seeing a larger lemon crop. Argentinian lemons are considered to be the best in the world, due to their high quality and flavor, so we are watching developments in that market very closely.

Lemons are delicious and nutritious, too, for several key reasons.

Lemons are beloved by many people for their tart flavor and their ability to be added to nearly anything. What many people don’t know is that lemons are actually quite healthy for you. Lemons are a great source of Vitamin C, which is important for boosting your immune system. They also contain flavonoids, which are antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage. The acid in lemons can even help alleviate indigestion and other stomach issues.

What does BMT Foods expect for this year’s Southern hemisphere lemon crop?

Lemons are widely available in the Southern Hemisphere, and their popularity is only increasing. This year, we are expecting more total production in Argentina (around two million tons), but processing should stay in the same numbers as last year (1.4 million tons). South Africa is expecting an increase of ten percent, following the growth trend of the last several years. Uruguay is still not big enough to have an impact in the supply and demand worldwide.

Lemon Production by Country/Season

How will new trade duties affect this year’s Southern Hemisphere lemon crop?

New tariffs and duties may put pressure on lemon crop prices this year, but availability should not be affected. New anti-dumping regulations against Brazil and South Africa are likely to increase prices for U.S. lemon imports. At the same time, three new Argentinian lemon suppliers have pledged to maintain reference prices, which may affect prices further. At the moment, we anticipate the next update will come mid-year.

How might global supply chain woes affect lemon shipments?

Nearly every business has now experienced some effects from the global supply chain woes that started during the Covid pandemic and continue today. This year’s lemon crop is likely to also be affected as importers are likely to experience slower delivery times and potential climate-related developments. We encourage customers to plan accordingly.

BMT Foods offers Lemon Juice NFC and Lemon Juice Concentrate – both ideal for natural products, grab and go Beverages, snacks, and desserts. As the BMT Foods team receives more developments from our Southern Hemisphere lemon partners, we will advise on further outlooks. We are available to answer any questions you have about our product offerings. Reach out to us today to learn more.

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