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

The company, Jacaranda Agricultura Norte, is already producing bananas commercially, and its citrus operation will begin with ten hectares dedicated to producing lemons.

According to the General Manager of Jacaranda, Abilio Chipupure, if the business proves sustainable, the company will increase the area devoted to lemons in the near future. "The contract with Dubai is pretty much firmed up", said Chipupure. "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 also hopes to build a meat processing factory.