Market research

Lemons and limes market in Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the African lemons and limes market volume fluctuated, rising to 1.4 million metric tons in 2020 before a slight decrease the following year. The market value followed a similar pattern, peaking at $1.2 billion in 2020 and then declining.

From 2022 onward, market volume growth was primarily driven by a significant expansion of lemon plantation areas in South Africa, which increased domestic production and supported higher consumption levels. This supply boost coincided with a sharp decrease in processed lemon prices in South Africa, contributing to a temporary drop in the market's total value in 2022. In 2023, the market value recovered, supported by continued production growth and the opening of new export markets such as El Salvador for Egyptian lemons, which enhanced trade opportunities across the region.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production lemons and limes in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Africa's production of lemons and limes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 1 892 thousand tons, representing a 16.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.1%	2.2%	16.6%	7.1%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Africa's lemons and limes production rebounded in value terms. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 622 million US dollars, showing a robust 20.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 7.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 349 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with an 8.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.1%)	(2.4%)	20.3%	2.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lemons and limes from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's exports of lemons and limes have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the continent exported 507.3 thousand tons, marking a significant 29.5% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 49.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.7%	12.4%	29.5%	14.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia were the top buyers of African lemons and limes in volume terms, accounting for 13.3%, 12.9%, and 12.0% of exports, respectively. However, their combined share was just 38.2% of total exports, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Africa's lemons and limes export value has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 435.1 million US dollars, a 33.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 31.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 303.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.4%)	7.3%	33.6%	9.5%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's lemons and limes exports in value terms were spread across numerous partner countries. The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the leading destinations, contributing 13.8%, 12.1%, and 11.4% of export value, respectively. Together, they accounted for only 37.4% of total flows, highlighting the market's diversity.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lemons and limes to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa imported approximately 8.1 thousand tons of lemons and limes in 2020, a 34.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 34.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.5%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 9.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 48.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 32.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	48.4%	(32.5%)	34.6%	10.5%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, lemons and limes imports to Africa came from a wide range of sources. Even the top suppliers—Portugal, Spain, and Brazil—collectively represented just 11.4% of total import volume, underscoring the fragmented nature of the supply chain.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Africa's imports of lemons and limes totaled 10.2 million US dollars, up 7.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 3.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.9%. The highest value was in 2018 at 11.0 million US dollars, marking the largest increase of 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.5%	(13.9%)	7.9%	1.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, Africa's lemons and limes imports in value terms were distributed across many partner countries. Spain, Portugal, and Brazil were the leading sources, accounting for 9.5%, 9.0%, and 2.1% of import value, respectively. Together, they made up just 20.6% of total flows, reflecting a broad and varied import market.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io