Trends in New Zealand’s Lemon-growing Industry

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 84, Issue 3, 15 March 1952, Page 220

Trends in New Zealand’s Lemon-growing Industry

By

W. A. FLETCHER,

Citriculturist, Depart-

ment of Agriculture, Auckland

The commercial lemon-growing industry in New Zealand is faced today with the need to decide on planting policy which will have a marked influence on its future. During the last decade plantings of a new variety, the Meyer lemon (probably a sweet orange-lemon hybrid), have increased rapidly, whereas plantings of the standard lemon varieties have steadily decreased. Owing to the pronounced seasonal bearing habit of the Meyer lemon a very serious upset in the regularity of future supplies of lemons will be experienced if this planting trend is continued over the next few years.

IN 1949 a survey by the Department of Agriculture indicated that there were about 38,200 standard lemon trees and 10,800 Meyer lemon trees growing in commercial orchards in the Dominion. The total of standard lemon trees was made up of 28,200 healthy mature trees, producing the bulk of the crop, together with 5300 young non-bearing trees and 4700 unproductive trees in poor condition. Of the Meyer lemon trees by far the greater number, about 9600 trees, had been • planted during the previous 10 years. Much of the present production, however, comes from these young trees, which come into bearing much earlier than standard lemon trees.

Expected Decrease in Standard Lemons

It is estimated that by 1959 the number of sound mature standard lemon trees will have decreased from 28,200 to 20,900; whereas the number of full-bearing Meyer lemon trees is expected to increase from 1200 to 10,600. The average yearly production of lemons in 1949 was estimated at about 113,200 f-bushel cases of standard lemons and only 10,300 t-bushel cases of Meyer lemons. With an average annual intake of about 6400 cases of imported lemons, the national market absorption level at that time was about 130,000 i-bushel cases. By 1959, owing to the expected decrease in numbers of mature bearing trees, receipts of standard lemons can be expected to fall from 113,200 cases to about 85,300 cases. As the young Meyer lemon trees reach maturity it is estimated that their production will increase to about 35,000 i-bushel cases by that time. (Production for 1951 is estimated at 19,400 cases.) The total receipts of lemons to be expected in 1959-60 are therefore about 120,300 f-bushel cases, and if an estimated 20 per cent, increase in population is allowed for, approximately 10,200 more mature trees would be required to increase production up to an expected market absorption level of 156,000 f-bushel cases.

Standard lemons mature all the year •round, although production is heavier in winter and early spring. Meyer lemons, however, have a pronounced iseason, with the result that further ►extensive plantings of this variety 'would seriously affect the regularity of supply of lemons. Generally 80

per cent, of Meyer lemons are produced in the 5-month period June to October, whereas only 48 per cent, of standard lemons are received then. Even if standard lemon trees alone were planted to fill the production gap expected by 1959, the Meyer lemon trees already planted will tend to create an over-supply of lemons in the June to October period, and a shortage in the November to May period of about 6100 cases. If only Meyer lemon trees were planted to fill this gap, however, a very serious upset in the regularity of supply of lemons could be expected. It is estimated that about 17,500 -J-bushel cases would be over-supplied in June to October and that there would be a corresponding shortage during November to May. During the 1950 season the total number of lemon trees planted in Kerikeri, Auckland, Tauranga, and Gisborne was 3700 standard lemons and 1300 Meyer lemons. The increase in standard lemon tree plantings is accounted for almost entirely by the Te Puke development scheme, opened in 1947 as a rehabilitation project. There appears to be little inclination in Auckland and Kerikeri districts to plant replacements in existing standard lemon orchards. Meyer lemon plantings, however, are still being maintained at a fairly high level, although the peak seems to have been passed at Kerikeri at least, where there was a big drop in the 1950 planting season. It seems evident from a survey of the position that further commercial plantings of Meyer lemons should he discouraged and that future plantings should be confined entirely to standard lemons, particularly such varieties as Genoa and Eureka, which tend to produce a greater portion of their crop in summer than does the Lisbon lemon. 0

Early Planting of Standards As it takes about 10 years before a. young standard lemon tree bears. a fair crop, to prevent a drop in production it is essential that the estimated figure of 10,200 trees required to provide the extra production necessary by 1959-60 should be planted as quickly as possible. In the 1950 planting season 5000 lemon trees were planted in commercial orchards. This figure represents nearly half of the number of extra lemon trees required and indications are that the full number will probably be reached during the 1952 planting season. A yearly replacement programme of approximately 1300 trees will be all that is then necessary if production is to be maintained at a controllable level. Fairly substantial plantings of standard lemons are expected this season, mainly in the Bay of Plenty area. Few plantings are expected in Auckland, but figures for Kerikeri and Gisborne should be more satisfactory. Although Meyer lemon tree plantings seem to be slackening off slightly, they were still fairly heavy last season and are expected to be appreciable again this season, particularly in the Bay of Plenty area. Importance of Even Supply In the interests of the consumer, the grower, and the country as a whole, it is most desirable that lemon supplies be spread as evenly as possible over the year. To achieve this, it is essential that no further Meyer lemons be planted for many years and that future production be sought from the more continuous-cropping standard lemon varieties.