Farmers warned against picking lemons too early

AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture on Saturday warned farmers against picking unripe lemons, as it will destroy the fruit.

"Farmers must abstain from picking lemons early and supplying the local market with unripe fruit seeking financial gain," Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

The ministry will ban the entry of unripe local lemons into the central market and destroy all quantities that don't meet the standards, he underscored.

"Our local production of lemons starts in early to mid-August every year. Currently there is a shortage of lemons in the local market and thus prices are high because the available lemons are all imported, either from South Africa or Spain," Haddadin explained.

He urged the public to inspect lemons before buying them, noting that unripe lemons are usually hard, dry and have no juice.

Noting that the ministry has no role in controlling lemon prices, Haddadin said the cost of the fruit currently ranges between JD2 and JD3 per kilogramme.

Between April and July every year, the local market suffers a shortage in lemons, and this year in particular, the shortage is higher because the Kingdom's borders with Syria are closed, according to the ministry.

The daily demand for lemons stands at 150 tonnes, the ministry said. 

Lemon production in the Kingdom ends in late March, and in April, Jordan imported 1,500 tonnes of lemons, while in March it imported 3,050 tonnes and 630 tonnes in February.

In May, the ministry called for increasing lemon imports to address the shortage and the high price of the citrus fruit in the local market.

At the time, the ministry said it does not mind the import of lemons from any country that is free of citrus-related diseases and as long as the fruit is in accordance with local standards.

The Kingdom imports lemons from Egypt, South Africa, Spain and Argentina as local production of is insufficient, and there are 20-30 importers of the citrus fruit, according to the Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruits and Vegetables.