The Board of Directors of AILIMPO, which includes representatives from ASAJA, COAG, UPA, cooperatives, exporters and processors, has approved the first crop estimate for the new season and identified two priorities: consolidating the leadership of Spanish lemons, supported by their European origin and freshness, and generating profitability throughout the entire supply chain.
The forecast represents a recovery in volume compared with the 2025/26 season, which is expected to close with provisional production of 1,021,000 tonnes, including fruit exported, processed and marketed on the domestic market, as well as weight losses and damage caused by cold weather.
Fino production to rise by 17%
For Fino lemons, AILIMPO estimates production of 874,600 tonnes, compared with 745,605 tonnes in 2025/26.
The forecast would bring the variety back towards levels seen in other recent seasons, although still well below the recent peak of 1.19 million tonnes recorded in 2023/24.
Fino lemon production trend (tonnes)
2019/20 830,000 █████████████████
2020/21 980,000 ████████████████████
2021/22 820,000 █████████████████
2022/23 760,000 ███████████████
2023/24 1,190,000 ████████████████████████
2024/25 864,500 █████████████████
2025/26 745,605 ███████████████
2026/27 874,600 ██████████████████ ← forecastVerna to recover with a 24% increase
Growth is expected to be even stronger for Verna lemons, with production forecast at 340,000 tonnes, compared with 275,104 tonnes in the season now ending.
Although this remains below the 389,830 tonnes recorded in 2024/25 and the recent high of 405,181 tonnes in 2023/24, it represents a significant recovery following the decline in the latest campaign.
Verna lemon production trend (tonnes)
2019/20 361,238 █████████████████████
2020/21 391,000 ███████████████████████
2021/22 361,000 █████████████████████
2022/23 256,500 ███████████████
2023/24 405,181 ████████████████████████
2024/25 389,830 ███████████████████████
2025/26 275,104 ████████████████
2026/27 340,000 ████████████████████ ← forecastGood flowering conditions and sufficient water availability
The expected increase comes despite a slight reduction in the total planted area, which now stands at 49,572 hectares.
According to AILIMPO, weather conditions during spring were favourable, allowing good flowering and fruit set. In addition, despite the high temperatures recorded in June, July and August, growers had sufficient water resources to meet the needs of the trees.
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The organisation also highlights the phytosanitary work carried out by growers, supported by AILIMPO’s AGEFIS Project, financed through the sector’s Extension of Rules.
According to the interprofessional organisation, pest and disease monitoring has enabled appropriate crop management, which should result in better fruit quality and a higher proportion suitable for the fresh market.
Processing volumes expected to recover
The larger crop will also have an impact on the processing sector. Following lower availability in 2025/26, AILIMPO expects the volume of lemons destined for processing to return to normal levels.
With a larger crop and improved prospects for marketable fruit, the Spanish lemon sector is therefore entering the 2026/27 season with the challenge of managing increased supply while maintaining its focus on profitability, quality and the positioning of Spanish lemons in international markets.
