Optimization of Verna Lemon Postharvest for Successful Export

In the coming weeks, Spain will begin harvesting the Verna lemon crop, a campaign that, as always, will be defined by the high-quality standards required by key export markets. These markets impose strict quality and food safety regulations, and meeting these demanding standards is the primary reason behind the commercial success of Spanish lemons, which lead the world in fresh lemon exports.

Quality and Safety: The Keys to Successful Lemon Export

Given this highly demanding and competitive landscape, Citrosol, the leading provider of postharvest solutions for the lemon export sector, works hand in hand with its clients, offering expertise, top-tier technical service, and personalized guidance. Our goal is to ensure that lemons reach consumers in optimal condition while also contributing to food waste reduction.

Key Factors in Lemon Postharvest Management

Every stage of the process—from harvesting to final shipment—requires careful attention. This is where our solutions and technology-driven equipment add significant value to lemon handling and packaging.

1. Careful Harvesting in the Field

Selecting fruit that has not experienced sudden temperature fluctuations, shows no external damage, and has not been harvested after excessive humidity or heavy rainfall.

2. Packinghouse Management

Before placing lemons in cold storage (or degreening chambers), it is essential to treat them either on the processing line (with extra precautions if pre-sorting) or in the drencher, which is the more common approach.

To ensure treatment effectiveness, Citrosol has developed the CATsystem®—an intelligent consumption system that maintains the optimal concentration of fungicide solutions while ensuring continuous hygiene. This system automates real-time monitoring and adjustments, preventing critical delays in product dosing.

3. Fungicide Treatments

The selection of active ingredients (A.I.) and their application method (drencher, processing line, or storage chamber) is crucial. Different fungicides work through various mechanisms, and their effectiveness against specific fungal diseases in lemons must be considered.

Citrosol offers a comprehensive range of fungicides, including organic-certified solutions such as Fung-Cid BIO BNa and Citrocide®-Plus, to effectively combat the main post-harvest pathogens affecting lemons.

4. Fruit Selection and Washing

Careful fruit selection is essential, as is proper washing, which removes field dirt, reduces pesticide residues, and eliminates organic matter that could hinder proper treatment and coating.

Citrosol provides specialized detergents, such as Detersol-Bio for organic lemons, ensuring optimal cleaning without compromising fruit quality.

5. Protection Against Cold and Skin Damage

Lemons are among the most cold-sensitive citrus fruits. While cold damage can occur in the field, improper temperature management during storage and transportation can exacerbate these issues.

Additionally, late-season Fino lemons—like those currently being harvested—tend to have a higher maturity level, making them more prone to senescence-related blemishes, dehydration, and other defects.

Post-harvest treatments help mitigate these issues. The application of specialized coatings, protective treatments, and approved post-harvest growth regulators has been proven to reduce cold damage and senescence-related disorders.

For instance, Citroprotect-Plus, a drencher-applied formulation, protects lemon skin by preventing phytotoxicity and physiological disorders that manifest as blemishes.

Regarding coatings, Citrosol offers a full range for lemons, including:

• Sunseal® and Sunseal® Vegan – ideal for long-distance shipments.
• Plantseal® Range – 100% plant-based coatings, certified for vegan and organic agriculture, providing excellent weight-loss control and cold-damage protection.

By implementing these advanced post-harvest solutions, exporters can ensure that Verna lemons maintain their quality, freshness, and commercial value, reinforcing Spain’s leadership in the global lemon market.