About Lemon Production
Lemon production is a major industry in many tropical and subtropical regions. However, growing and maintaining a lemon tree is very active and pests and diseases affect the trees easily. Uncontrolled weather conditions such as heavy rains or prolonged droughts can also damage lemon trees.
Before you plant a lemon tree, the soil must be carefully plowed, prepared with trenches to prevent excess water in the orchard. The trees should be planted about six meters apart, to allow room for the plant when it grows.
Maintaining a lemon orchard also requires a lot of care and attention. Plants must be propagated at critical times during the first years of growth or they will not reach maturity. In addition to watering, regular weeding is important and fertilizer should be added to the soil about three times a year to get the best results.
Finally, the lemon tree is very tender and its branches must be carefully cut (by hand) in order for the stronger branches to grow properly.
Since lemons grow in hot weather, they don’t have a rest period. Lemon should be brought three times a year when the plant has reached the full level of sweetness and acidity. Because of the delicious food of the tree and its fruit, everything that takes lemon juice must be done by hand
Country List of Lemon Producers
- Worldwide, 17,384,130 tons of lemons are produced annually.
- India is the largest lemon producer in the world with an annual production of 2,978,000 tons.
- Mexico comes second with an annual production of 2,429,839 tons.
Indian Lemon Export Statistics
In 2019, India sold 12,155 tons of lemons. For 2019 alone, interest in Indian lemons (a type of fruit) has decreased, registering a change of -17.493% compared to 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, lemon exports decreased by -25.74%, earning the country US$ 6.41 million for the year 2019. Indian lemon exports are classified as follows:
fresh or dried lemons “Citrus limon, Citrus limonum” and limes “Citrus aurantifolia” (HS code 080530)
Fresh or dried lemons, “Citrus limon, Citrus limonum” and limes “Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus latifolia” (HS code 080550)
Indian lemon export price
- In 2019, India exported lemons worth $6.41 million, down -4.53% from the total lemon exports of 2018 of $6.714 million. The annual change in the value of Indian lemons between 2017 and 2018 was -23.417%.
- The year-on-year change in the export rate of Indian lemons between 2017 and 2019 is -25.74 pc compared to the change of -17.493% in the growth rate between 2018 and 2019.
Suitable climate for lemon cultivation.
Lemons can be grown in many climates. However, very hot or cold weather does not produce a lot of fruit and flowers. Areas with dry climates and low rainfall are best for growing limes.
Lemons can be grown in humid areas with high rainfall. High humidity promotes the spread of many diseases. Freezing is very harmful. Hot winds in summer cause desiccation and the fall of flowers and young fruits. Lime is a hot fruit.
Land needed for Lemon
Lime and lemon can be grown in black soil, loamy or moist soil with sufficient moisture and no calcium carbonate layer. Lemons can grow in a variety of soils, but well-drained, sandy loam with humus and clay soils with good potash content are best for growing them. The soil should be well ventilated.
Heavy soils should be avoided. Soil rich in organic matter is preferred; FYM (garden manure) or compost should be added while preparing the soil. The design should ensure that the soil has good internal drainage.
Home enthusiasts will do well to make a potting mix of equal parts compost, perlite, and peat or moss coir. Another potting mix can be adjusted to five parts wood, one part peat moss, and one part perlite/vermiculite.
A citrus fruit’s pH level between 5.5 and 7.5 is ideal; However, they can cope with reduced productivity in the pH range of 4 to 9.
Health benefits of lemon
Vitamins, fiber and compounds in lemons can be part of a healthy diet. Don’t usually eat fresh lemons – they are too sour for most tastes – unless you are using candied lemons.
Vitamin C
Lemons contain about 50 milligrams of vitamin C, more than half of the vitamin C you need in your daily diet. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. Vitamin C also helps your body produce collagen for your skin, helps your body absorb iron, and supports the immune system. Citrus fruits are among the best sources of vitamin C
Antibacterial effect
Lemon juice has antibacterial and antifungal properties. The plant compounds in concentrated lemon juice inhibited the growth of salmonella, staph, and candida infections in one study. It is also effective against drug-resistant bacteria that cause pneumonia and blood-borne infections.
Cancer prevention and treatment research
Lemon juice is a valuable source of nutrients called flavonoids. These are antioxidants that help protect cells from damage that can lead to cancer. But lemon juice has not been studied for cancer prevention in humans. Although a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of cancer, no diet has been shown to prevent cancer.
Lemon juice is not a part of cancer treatment. But scientists found small nanoparticles in lemon juice that – in laboratory tests on cells – inhibited cell reproduction and activated cancer cell death. This is the first research that is about finding a new cancer treatment that does not depend on the lemon juice you get in your diet.
Weight management
The pectin fiber in lemons expands as soon as they are consumed, making you feel full faster. Lemon water is often cited as an effective tool in weight loss and weight management. While there is nothing wrong with drinking water, there is nothing wrong with adding lemon to water for weight management. It’s also important to note that drinking water can keep you full and help you avoid overeating like lemons.
