A company in the northern Mozambican province of Nampula is close to securing a deal to begin producing lemons for export to Dubai later this year.

Jacaranda Agricultura Norte is already producing bananas commercially, and its citrus operation will begin with 10 hectares dedicated to producing lemons, the company said in comments published by state news agency WAM.

Abilio Chipupure, general manager of Jacaranda, said the company will increase the area devoted to lemons in the near future if the business proves sustainable.

“The contract with Dubai is pretty much firmed up,” Chipupure was quoted as saying. “There are just a few technical details to be finalised, such as the forms of packaging and exporting the product.

“The market is guaranteed. When it’s all fixed, lemon production will take off with the prospect of gradually increasing the area under production.”

Jacaranda has been producing bananas on an area of 50 hectares in the Nampula district of Erati since 2010. Last year, the Erati district government granted Jacaranda a further 100 hectares, on which it intends to produce not only lemons, but also maize and soya for animal feed.

Part of the area will be used for livestock, and Jacaranda said it also hopes to build a meat processing factory.

Source: Arabian Business