The Region of Murcia consolidates its global hegemony by concentrating 48% of lemon and grapefruit exports

 

La Región de Murcia It has consolidated its position as the undisputed driving force of the Spanish citrus sector, contributing almost half the value of national lemon and grapefruit exports. With a production of 640.000 tons, the region generated €420 million in foreign sales during the last fiscal year.

 

Institutional meeting and market review

 

President regional government, Fernando López Miras, has held a working meeting in the Palacio de San Esteban with the new president of the Asociación Interprofesional de Limón y Pomelo (Ailimpo), Joaquín RubioThe aim of the meeting was to discuss the sector's imminent challenges, its positioning at international trade fairs, and the profitability of farms in a competitive global environment.

 

As highlighted by the counselor of Water, Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing, Sara Rubira, the Murcian sector is the «absolute leader» in production and export. Of the 873 million euros that España Last year, exports in this category totaled over 420 million, originating from the Región de Murcia.

 

 

Sectoral Indicator (Annual)	Data Region of Murcia	National Total (Spain)
Export value	€420 million	€873 million
Total production	640.000 tonnes
Export quota	48,1 %	100 %

 

 

Innovation and Sustainability: The Agefis Project

 

During the session, the success of Agefis project, a sustainable plant health management initiative funded by the regional government with 100.000 euros and executed by Ailimpo, which invests 450.000 euros annually in this technological tool.

 

This system has enabled the development of an advanced monitoring network for the early detection of pests. What began in 2024 as a pilot program with 20 stations in municipalities such as Murcia, Fortuna, Santomera y Abanilla, has experienced a 400% growth, reaching the current 100 stations.

 

• Key benefits of the Agefis system:
• Optimization in the application of phytosanitary treatments.
• Significant reduction in operating costs for the farmer.
• Biological control trials for more sustainable agriculture.
• Expansion of the network to the provinces of Alicante, Málaga y Almería.

 

Challenges at borders and producer protection

 

One of the critical points addressed was the need to strengthen the border controlsThe advisor Sara Rubira He emphasized the importance of monitoring imports from third countries, especially during periods of no local production, to prevent the entry of pests that could compromise the plant health of national crops.

 

"We work to guarantee the profitability of producers, the quality of their fruit, and the increase in sales and exports," concluded the head of Agriculture, emphasizing that the sector's demands are conveyed directly to the institutions in Madrid y Bruselas.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the lemon sector in Murcia

1. What is Murcia's share of Spanish lemon exports?

La Región de Murcia represents almost 50% of the total value of exports España, adding up to more than 420 million euros out of a national total of 873 million.

2. What does the Agefis project promoted by Ailimpo consist of?

It is a plant health management project that uses a network of 100 monitoring stations to detect pests early, allowing for optimized treatments and reduced unnecessary costs.

3. What measures are requested to protect local production against third countries?

Strict border controls are required for imports of foreign citrus fruits in order to prevent the entry of diseases and ensure that the profitability of producers in Murcia is not harmed.