Lemons and limes market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the lemons and limes market in the Americas experienced moderate growth followed by a decline. Market volume edged higher in 2019, a period marked by tight supply conditions reflected in high lime prices in the United States and adverse weather in Brazil that constrained export quality and volume. The market then contracted in 2020, with volume falling by over 9%.

A robust recovery began in 2021 and continued through 2023. The reopening of the hospitality sector across many countries significantly boosted demand, while simultaneous supply chain disruptions and unfavorable weather in major Southern Hemisphere growing regions like Brazil limited availability. This combination of strong demand and constrained supply drove prices upward, leading to a sharp 43% increase in market value in 2021. Growth persisted, with market volume reaching 8.8 million tons and value surpassing $35.6 billion by 2023.

Production lemons and limes in Americas

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, lemon and lime production in the Americas declined. In 2020, the region produced 7 933 K t of lemons and limes, representing a 2.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 7.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 8 128 K t, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 8.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of expansion, the value of lemon and lime production in the Americas decreased. In 2020, output was valued at 18 096 M $ US, down 11.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 5.3%, translating to an average annual increase of 1.7%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 20 509 M $ US, with the most significant growth occurring in 2018 at 16.9%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Americas

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 434.4 K t, while 2020 saw the highest at 957.0 K t - representing a dramatic 120.3% increase year-over-year and creating a 2.2-fold difference between the two years. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 at 42.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (13.4% of export volume), Spain (5.4%), and Russia (5.1%) emerged as the largest buyers of lemons and limes from the Americas, though their combined share of 23.9% indicates a diverse export market with many smaller trading partners.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of lemon and lime exports from the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 965 M $ US, representing a modest 2.3% decrease from the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 091 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase at 14.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 9.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands (12.1% of export value), Spain (5.1%), and Russia (4.0%) played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of lemons and limes from the Americas, with their combined share reaching just 21.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Americas

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes experienced noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 42.7 K t, while imports peaked in 2017, creating a 6.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports reached 45.7 K t, representing a 6.8% increase compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 at 80.0%.

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

Analysis of import volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broadly distributed market. South Africa (12.0% of import volume), Spain (9.2%), and Turkey (1.5%) together accounted for only 22.7% of total imports, with the remaining 77.3% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of lemon and lime imports into the Americas declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 163 M $ US, down 2.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 2.9%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 179 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase at 6.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 6.7%.

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

The import market from 2017 to 2020 featured a wide distribution across many countries. South Africa (12.4% of import value), Spain (9.4%), and Turkey (1.5%) together accounted for just 23.3% of total import value, with the remaining 76.7% shared among numerous other trading partners.

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

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