The Co-op Deli Consumers'Co-operative Union donated 500 lemon saplings to the Kinokawa Agricultural Cooperative in Kinokawa City, Wakayama Prefecture from late March to early April in order to increase domestic lemon production and support lemon farmers.

The donation is a part of the "Domestic Lemon" production increase project by the Co-op Deli with the aim to promote sustainable production and consumption.

The Kinokawa Agricultural Cooperative is the sanchoku production area of the Co-op Deli Group where citrus fruits such as lemons, kiwifruits, persimmons and onions are produced.

This time, Co-op Deli donated 500 lemon saplings which were equivalent to 800,000 yen to support the increase in lemon production. The donated lemon saplings will be ready for harvest in five years, and it is expected that after 10 years there will be approximately 350 pieces of crop yield per tree.

Domestic lemons have been a popular product for co-op members for many years, but the yield is insufficient due to unseasonable weather conditions such as typhoons, heavy rains and cold waves that have frequently occurred in Japan in recent years and the aging of producers. It is hoped that the donation will speed up the increase in production and motivate the producers.