Don't buy lemons from the shops!

The price of lemons has fallen by 26% compared with last year and stands at 0.28 Euros per kilogramme. Producers of lemons, oranges and tangerines in the Valencian region have lost 200 million Euros this year. Since the cost of picking outweighs the price at market, 26,000 tons of lemons have been left on the trees.

Some argue that the cause is over production but that is not the main problem. It is Turkey, where 800,000 tons of lemons have been exported this year at prices which are noncompetitive due to the devaluation of the lira. Add to that, competition from South Africa, Argentina and now Egypt that used to mainly grow oranges and the Spanish growers cannot compete.

In the meantime, we have a good crop of lemons on our trees this year. Added to which, our friend Eloy has just brought us a further crate of lemons.

Please, if you want lemons, call at our gate - you can have as many as you wish for free.