Harsh weather has tapped this year's supply of lemons, suppliers say. (Larry Crowe/Associated Press)

Poor weather in growing regions has tightened the supply of citrus used for lemon juice, forcing consumers and restaurateurs to do without.

According to Sunkist, one of the largest international citrus suppliers, supplies of lemons are down around the globe by about 25 per cent.

Claire Smith, director of corporate communications for Sunkist Growers, says a freeze in 2007 affected this year's crop in California while wind and drought have hurt Spain's lemon yield.

"In addition, because it's a shorter crop, a lot more of the crop is going into the fresh market so there's a lot less available for the juice market," Smith said.

"It's basically weather problems on a global basis and probably next year if the growing conditions are good we should see it back up to normal in the summer of 2009."

Rami Kostek, who owns Halifax's Tarke's Café, says he's had to squeeze his own lemons — a more expensive alternative.

"All those suppliers, they don't have it," he said. "They are waiting for [a] shipment. When? I don't know," he said.

"We go every day, they say they don't have it in stock and the big suppliers in town and in the city say they [are] still waiting for the shipment but [it] has been a month and a half now."

The Canadian Grocery Council says supplies of lemon juice at large grocery stores should be replenished by the end of August.

Melissa McPherson, store manager of Pete's Frootique in Halifax, says supply is currently limited to specialty lemon juice.

"For the past three weeks we have been shorted lemon juice. However, we still on our shelves have our organic lemon juice and we have not sold out of that, speaking with our suppliers in regard our lemon juice, we should have our shelves filled by the first of the week."

Smith was not able to say precisely how much lemon prices have increased but said the shortage has indeed raised prices.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, lemon prices have been steadily increasing. In September 2007, fresh lemon prices increased 47 per cent in year-over-year comparisons to $46.10 per 76-pound (34-kg) box.