The price of lemons increased to 70% in Metropolitan Lima during August and sales in retail markets fell to 50%. Faced with this situation that affects the pockets of families and restaurants, many people wonder when the cost of this citrus will stabilize and what are the reasons for these changes in value. To clear up these doubts, the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) spoke out, which has been coordinating actions with the Ministry of Economy so that this rise is moderated and its impact reduced.
Midagri: when will the lemon price be reduced?
According to César Santisteban, director of Midagri’s Directorate of Statistics and Agrarian Information, it is estimated that the price of lemons will decrease in November, since the harvest season begins. Similarly, he emphasized that the El Niño Costero phenomenon could have an impact on the cost of crops.
“The harvest season begins in November, and the supply will begin to increase, which will cause the price to drop significantly, as happened with the onion. Let us remember that this product had an increase of 78% in June, 33% in July and 11% in August. Now, it tends to regularize because the harvest campaign begins,” said the Midagri official in Latina.
Midagri: Why did the price of lemon increase?
Currently, annual food inflation is at 11% and this increase in lemon prices —which triples in some markets in Lima and regions— is suffered by the population. According to César Santisteban from Midagri, this is explained by the lower production of this citrus fruit as a result of Cyclone Yaku, which coincides with a shorter harvest season.
“We have a lower lemon production as a result of Cyclone Yaku and that coincides with the season of the year where there is a lower harvest. So, there is a double impact that causes the price of lemons to have increased significantly”he detailed.
Finally, he recalled that during the months of August and September there is usually an increase in the price of lemons because it is the lowest harvest season. “This decrease in production is due to abnormal weather conditions that affected the flowering and development of the plant. Without flowers, there are no fruits, which caused a decrease in lemon production and, therefore, increased its price,” referred.
What other products went up in price?
According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), of 586 products that are part of the basic family basket, 338 increased significantly in their prices. In addition to lemon, which topped the list with an increase of 70%, there are other fruits and vegetables that we detail below:
- Apple (23.17%)
- Strong avocado (15, 92%)
- Watermelon (13.6%)
- Grape (7.7%)
- Melon (7.4%)
- Onion (17.3%)
- Carrot (14%)
- Pumpkin (10.5%)
- Pope (9.2%)
What products lowered their price?
According to the statements of the representative of Midagri to Latina, there are other fruits and vegetables that have decreased in price because they are in the season of greatest harvest:
- Orange
- blueberries
- Strawberry
- Pineapple
- Sweet potato
- Corn
- Yucca
Source: Larepublica
Alia is a professional author and journalist, working at 247 news agency. She writes on various topics from economy news to general interest pieces, providing readers with relevant and informative content. With years of experience, she brings a unique perspective and in-depth analysis to her work.
