- In 100 g of lemon there are about 50 mg of vitamin C, half of the daily intake recommended by health experts, which for adults ranges between 95 and 110 mg of this nutrient per day.
- The lemon produced in the European Union retains this and many other properties until it reaches the consumer's hands, since it is always marketed under the maximum guarantees.
Madrid - Although this winter has reached its peak between late January and early February, with heavy snowfall especially in the central and eastern states, Phil the groundhog has predicted that there are still several weeks to go until the coats are put away in the closet. Thus, the period of the year when low temperatures make us more susceptible to certain diseases and ailments related to them continues, so during this time special care must be taken not to fall ill. In fact, both viruses and bacteria tend to thrive in cold and dry conditions, highlighting the importance of consuming lemon for its high vitamin C content.
In addition, Omicrom has had a significant impact throughout the country, after two years of the pandemic, surpassing the records of the autumn wave, derived from the Delta variant.
This citrus fruit not only acts as a gastronomic ingredient, but is also an important source of vitamin C, since in 100 g of lemon there are about 50 mg of this nutrient; that is, almost half of the daily intake recommended by health experts, which in adults ranges between 95 and 110 mg per day, as advised by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in the document 'Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Consumers'. The amount even rises to 120 mg for nursing mothers.
Therefore, anyone over the age of 18 should try to consume between two and three lemons a day to cover the need for nutrients required by their own body.
Why use vitamin C in winter?
Because it is necessary to fine-tune the immune system, whose purpose is to develop the defences that shield us from the invasion of viruses and bacteria. And this is where vitamin C comes into play, since, according to the NIH, it helps protect cells against oxidative damage.
Outside of its range of action in the immune system, the vitamin C in lemon also contributes to the normal formation of collagen for the proper functioning of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, skin, teeth and gums. It also contributes to the regeneration of the reduced form of vitamin E, reduces fatigue and body tiredness, and optimizes iron absorption; characteristics that are highly appreciated by sports and health professionals.
However, it should be noted that if there is a lemon that perfectly meets such singularities, it is the lemon produced in Europe, where it is one of the main foods that make up the popular Mediterranean diet. This is because the European production model ensures that the products arrive completely fresh at their destinations and under the maximum guarantees.
These and other characteristics of the lemon with European origin are disseminated by the Interprofessional Association of Lemon and Grapefruit (AILIMPO) in the information campaign Welcome to the Lemon Age, with the support of the European Union, with the aim of promoting its consumption among the new generations of U.S. and Canadian consumers; and that they value and appreciate more differentiating properties, for example, its quality, freshness, sustainability, traceability and food safety compared to non-EU lemons.
About AILIMPO
AILIMPO is a Spanish interprofessional, based in Murcia, officially recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain and the European Commission, which represents the economic interests of producers, cooperatives, exporters and the industry of lemon and grapefruit. A sector in which Spain is the world leader in fresh exports and ranks second as a processing country, with an annual turnover of 700 million euros, generating 20,000 direct jobs and transferring more than 250 million euros to ancillary industries.
More information: www.thelemonage.eu
Canada is already the third largest non-EU market for European lemons
- The North American country, together with the United Arab Emirates, had the largest year-on-year increases in demand for European lemon markets, acquiring a total of 10,937 tons.
- This is due, among other aspects, to the fact that European lemon producers offer a quality, sustainable, audited fruit with carbon and water footprint and social commitment.
Madrid - Lemon from Europe is a guarantee and a synonym of quality. For this reason, more and more consumers around the world trust this golden citrus fruit produced in the European fields of the Mediterranean basin. So much so that, throughout the last campaign, which ran from October 2020 to September 2021, half of the lemons exported fresh came from member countries of the European Union (EU), a fact that consolidated the organization formed by twenty-seven States as the largest exporter of this fruit worldwide, with Canada being the third largest importer of European lemon after acquiring 10,937 tons.
Specifically, and according to the statistical office Eurostat, the European Union put into circulation during that period 137,137 tons of fresh lemons outside its borders, that is, 50% on a total of 274,737 tons exported worldwide. And the fact is that, even though domestic consumption in Europe has grown at 3 kg per person since 2015 (+ 10%), the organism has also distinguished itself as the world's leading producer of fresh lemons, with 1,708,610 tons noted in the 2020/21 season, well ahead of other major players such as Turkey (1,100,000 tons), United States (835,000 tons) and South Africa (625,000 tons).
As mentioned above, the year-on-year increase in demand from Canada (+ 41%) is noteworthy, which together with the United Arab Emirates (+ 51%) were the markets with the greatest increase in requests for European lemons during the last season. This situation allowed it to climb to the third position in the ranking of importers, a place previously held by Serbia. However, the North American country still maintains some distance with the United Kingdom and Switzerland, whose volumes stood at 76,568 and 23,311 tons of lemon imported, respectively.
“The European lemon has more flavour and firmness and is marketed under the maximum guarantees. The customer understands that it cannot compare a lemon produced in the southern hemisphere with a European one, since we are not talking about the same product or quality. Apart from quality, Europe offers a sustainable fruit, audited with carbon and water footprint and social commitment. These elements are essential to strengthen the economic sustainability of all the links that make up the supply chain,” says José Antonio García, general manager of the Interprofessional Association of Lemon and Grapefruit of Spain (AILIMPO).
Where is the European lemon grown?
Currently only eight countries of the twenty-seven Member States of the European Union have commercial production of lemon. Spain is by far the largest producer, accounting for 65% (1,100,470 tons) of the EU volume in the 2020/2021 season. It was followed by Italy, with 473,280 tons; Greece, with 87,190 tons; Portugal, with 25,200 tons; and France, with 16,690 tons. The remainder to complete the 1,708,610 tons noted by Eurostat came from Cyprus (5,280 tons), Malta (270 tons) and Croatia (230 tons).
In addition, the European Union continues to increase the area under lemon cultivation, which in 2021 amounted to 80,311 hectares, 4% more than the figure obtained a year earlier. As it happens in the field of production, Spain concentrates a majority (60%) of the lemon trees located in Europe. However, it is worth noting the increases achieved by Italy (+ 7.3% year-on-year) and Greece (+ 2.6%) to reach 24,820 and 3,930 hectares, respectively.
Meanwhile, the sector is still immersed in moving towards the strategy “Farm to Fork” of the European Green Pact, which aims that by 2030 25% of the land wil be produced with organic techniques. Thus, Spain has already adapted 8,300 hectares to achieve this goal, according to the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, which represents more than 17% of its lemon extension.
Certified sustainability
The European lemon sector is aware that this reality has an impact on the consumer's purchasing decision and, in view of this situation, has implemented a model based on improving the environment with an eco-efficiency and prevention approach that minimizes the use of inputs and resources as much as possible. It even has its own 'Manual of Active Ingredients and Treatment Recommendations for Lemons', which is more restrictive than European standards.
This document is responsible for informing lemon growers about the legal requirements of the different markets and recommends the most effective treatments to rationalize work both on farms and in packing warehouses. These environmental sustainability practices are endorsed under the GLOBAL G.A.P. certification.
However, the sector's responsibility is also oriented towards the generation and distribution of wealth, considering market conditions, equity and economic justice, which also influence the distribution of useful and profitable goods and services for the community of which it is a part of. This, in turn, has an impact on the social sustainability of its environment, which has to do with aspects such as human resources management, occupational health and safety, and employee training and development, for which it has received the GRASP seal.
All this comes together in the European production model, the most demanding at a global level, as it guarantees food safety and traceability of lemons on their way from the lemon tree to a home and offers this certainty to both manufacturers and retailers through the IFS Food label, which certifies quality, transparency and reduction of costs and times.
These and other characteristics of lemon with European origin are disseminated by the Interprofessional Association of Lemon and Grapefruit (AILIMPO) in the information campaign Welcome to the Lemon Age, with the support of the European Union, with the aim of promoting its consumption among the new generations of U.S. and Canadian consumers; and that they value and appreciate more differentiating properties, for example, its quality, freshness, sustainability, traceability and food safety compared to non-EU lemons.
About AILIMPO
AILIMPO is a Spanish interprofessional, based in Murcia, officially recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain and the European Commission, which represents the economic interests of producers, cooperatives, exporters and the industry of lemon and grapefruit. A sector in which Spain is the world leader in fresh exports and ranks second as a processing country, with an annual turnover of 700 million euros and generating 20,000 direct.
More information: www.thelemonage.eu
Cinq citrons frais exportés sur dix sont d’origine européenne
- L’Union européenne a consolidé son rôle de leader mondial dans l’exportation de citrons frais pendant la campagne 2020/21, après avoir commercialisé 137 137 tonnes en dehors de ses frontières.
- Au cours de cette période, la France, cinquième producteur européen de citrons, est le pays membre dont la production nationale a le plus augmenté (+66,2 % interannuel).
Madrid - Le citron européen est synonyme et garantie de qualité. C’est pour cette raison que de plus en plus de consommateurs internationaux optent pour cet agrume doré, cultivé dans les champs du bassin méditerranéen européen. En effet, au cours de la dernière campagne, d’octobre 2020 à septembre 2021, la moitié des citrons frais exportés provenait des pays membres de l’Union européenne, chiffres qui établissent l’organisation constitué des 27 états comme la plus grande exportatrice mondiale du fruit, dont la France est le cinquième producteur, si l’on en croit les 16 690 tonnes récoltées au cours de la période en question.
Plus précisément, et d’après la Division des statistiques Eurostat, l’Union européenne a mis en circulation137 137 tonnes de citrons frais en dehors de ses frontières pendant cette période, soit 50 % des 274 737 tonnes totales exportées globalement. Malgré la croissance de la consommation interne à 3 kg par personne depuis 2015 (+ 10 %), l’UE s’est aussi distinguée comme étant le premier producteur mondial de citrons frais, avec 1 708 610 tonnes enregistrées pour la campagne 2020/21, devant d’autres acteurs réputés comme la Turquie (1 100 000 tonnes), les États-Unis (835 000 tonnes) ou l’Afrique du Sud (625 000 tonnes).
« Le citron européen est plus savoureux et plus ferme, et il est commercialisé sous les garanties les plus strictes. Le client comprend qu’un citron cultivé dans l’hémisphère Sud n’est pas comparable à un citron européen, puisqu’on ne parle pas du même produit ni de la même qualité. Hormis la qualité, l’Europe offre un fruit durable, avec une empreinte carbone et hydrique auditée et un un engagement social contrôlé. Ces éléments sont indispensables pour sécuriser la durabilité économique de tous les maillons qui forment la chaîne d’approvisionnement », assure à ce propos José Antonio García, PDG de l'Association espagnole des producteurs de citrons et de pamplemousses (AILIMPO).
Où cultive-t-on le citron européen ?
Actuellement seuls 8 pays parmi les 27 États membres de l’Union européenne présentent une production commerciale de citrons. L’Espagne est de loin le plus grand producteur, puisqu’elle a fourni 65 % (1 100 470 tonnes) du volume communautaire lors de la campagne 2020/21. Ensuite vient l’Italie, avec 473 280 tonnes ; la Grèce, avec 87 190 tonnes ; le Portugal, avec 25 200 tonnes ; et la France, avec 16 690 tonnes. Le reste, pour compléter les 1 708 610 tonnes enregistrées par Eurostat, provient de Chypre (5 280 tonnes), Malte (270 tonnes) et la Croatie (230 tonnes).
En outre, l’Union européenne continue d’augmenter sa surface dédiée à la culture du citron, qui en 2021 s’est élevée à 80 311 hectares, 4 % de plus par rapport aux données obtenues l’année dernière. Tout comme dans le secteur de la production, l’Espagne concentre une partie majoritaire (60 %) des citronniers européens. Néanmoins, il convient de souligner la hausse effectuée par l’Italie (+7,3 % interannuel) et la Grèce (+2,6 %) avec 24 820 et 3 930 hectares, respectivement.
Le secteur est engagé dans la transition vers la stratégie « De la ferme à la table » du pacte vert pour l'Europe, dont le but est de mettre en pratique des techniques écologiques sur 25 % des terres d’ici à 2030. Ainsi, l’Espagne a déjà adapté 8 300 hectares en vue de cet objectif, d’après le ministère espagnol de l'agriculture, de la pêche et de l'alimentation, ce qui signifie plus du 17 % de sa surface dédiée à la production de citron.
Durabilité certifiée
Le secteur du citron européen est conscient de l’impact de cette nouvelle réalité sur la décision d’achat du consommateur. Pour cette raison, il a implanté un modèle fondé sur l’amélioration de l’environnement, avec une approche axée sur l’éco-efficacité et la prévention, réduisant au maximum l’utilisation d’intrants et de ressources naturelles. Il dispose même de son propre ’Manuel des matières actives et recommandations de traitements pour le citron’, plus restrictif que les normes européennes.
Ce document vise à informer les producteurs de citrons sur les exigences légales des différents marchés et recommande les traitements les plus effectifs pour rationaliser le travail, non seulement dans les exploitations agricoles, mais aussi dans les entrepôts de conditionnement. Des pratiques de développement durable approuvées dans le cadre de la certification GLOBAL G.A.P.
Toutefois, la responsabilité du secteur s’oriente aussi vers la génération et la distribution de la richesse, étant donné les conditions du marché, l’équité et la justice économique, qui influent sur la distribution des biens et services utiles et rentables pour la communauté dont il fait partie. Cela se répercute à son tour sur la durabilité sociale de son environnement, liée par exemple à la gestion des RH, à la sécurité et à la santé dans le travail, à la formation et au développement des travailleurs. Tout cela lui a valu l’attribution du sceau GRASP.
Les attributs du citron européen sont communiqués par l'Association interprofessionnelle du citron et du pamplemousse (AILIMPO) dans le cadre de la campagne d'information Welcome to the Lemon Age, qui bénéficie du soutien de l'Union européenne, afin d'encourager la consommation parmi les nouvelles générations de consommateurs en Allemagne, France et Espagne ; et de promouvoir une valorisation accrue de ses caractéristiques plus différenciées et intrinsèques telles que sa qualité, fraîcheur, durabilité, traçabilité et sécurité alimentaire par rapport aux citrons non européens.
À propos d’AILIMPO
AILIMPO est une organisation interprofessionnelle espagnole, dont le siège se trouve à Murcie, officiellement reconnue par le ministère espagnol de l'agriculture, de la pêche et de l'alimentation et par la Commission européenne, et qui représente les intérêts économiques des producteurs, des coopératives, des exportateurs et de l'industrie du citron et du pamplemousse. Un secteur dans lequel est leader mondial des exportations de citrons frais.
Plus d’information: www.thelemonage.eu
23 February 2022
