According to José Antonio García, director of Ailimpo, the season has performed well both in production and marketing terms.
“Production has been very much in line with the estimates we published before the start of the season,” he said. “We have closed a very positive campaign, both from a production and commercial point of view.”
Exports rise despite lower production
Despite the fall in production compared with the previous season, Spanish lemon exports increased. One of the main factors behind this performance was the sharp reduction in Turkish shipments to Europe.
According to García, Turkey cut its lemon exports by around 50%, falling from more than 100,000 tonnes in the previous campaign to approximately 55,000 tonnes this season.
This allowed Spain to strengthen its role as Europe’s leading supplier from late September to June, with a market share that exceeded 90% at certain points during the campaign.
Outstanding quality and less fruit for processing
Fruit quality was also one of the defining features of the season. García described it as one of the best campaigns in the last decade, thanks to lower pressure from pests and diseases and the technical expertise of Spanish growers.
The strong commercial quality of the crop also reduced the volume sent to the processing industry. While around 450,000 tonnes were processed in the previous season, this figure fell to approximately 200,000 tonnes in 2025/26. Prices paid for fruit destined for processing were also significantly higher.
Prices offset lower volumes
At origin, lemon prices ranged between €0.45 and €0.55/kg for Fino lemons and between €0.90 and €1.00/kg for Verna. These levels more than offset the decline in production, according to Ailimpo.
“These price levels have allowed us to pass on the sharp cost increases of recent years without negatively affecting consumption. We have adjusted the price of Spanish lemons in the European market,” García said.
Slight reduction in acreage
Spain’s lemon acreage has declined slightly over the past two seasons, from around 52,000 hectares in 2023/24 to 50,600 hectares in 2025/26.
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This reduction is mainly linked to the abandonment of small plots and smallholdings, although many professional farms have continued to invest in replanting and orchard renewal.
A positive season, but with production potential still in place
García noted that weather conditions over the past two years have prevented Spain from reaching its full production potential. This contrasts with the 2023/24 season, when the market faced a situation of oversupply.
“We know that, under the right conditions, a similar scenario could happen again, although it is also worth remembering that the processing industry can act as an important outlet,” he said.
For now, however, the sector is focused on the results achieved this season.
“We are very pleased with the results of this campaign, and now is the time to enjoy them,” García concluded.
