South African threat to Cyprus lemon exports to UK

The Cypriot lemon and citrus exports to the UK worth an estimated GBP 50 mln a year, are under threat from a South African grower Citrogold who has announced the sale in February of the world’s first seedless lemon, according to the London Greek News.

Eureka seedless lemons, which the grower claims are 100% seed-free, will sell in Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer’s, while they are also being targeted to sell in the catering industry.

The lemons have been developed as part of the Africa Agricultural Research Council of South Africa’s mutation breeding programme and are part grown by accredited and licensed citrus growers in the Limpopo Valley of the Eastern Cape.

Citrogold claims its fruit offer a higher juice content than other lemons while retaining the normal oval shape and bright yellow peel with between eight and 10 segments.