Lemons and limes market in Burkina Faso

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the lemons and limes market in Burkina Faso grew from 322 t to 398 t, driven primarily by a tripling of imports over the period. Domestic production remained stable at around 320 t annually, supported by green lemon tree planting initiatives and expert pruning techniques introduced by the association Movement France starting in 2017, which aimed to enhance local production capacity.

The market peaked at 527 t in 2021, as imports surged to 208 t. This increase coincided with regional challenges including drought in the Sahel, deteriorating security, and rising international food prices, which likely heightened reliance on imported supplies to meet local demand amidst constrained domestic conditions.

Following the peak, the market volume declined to 459 t in 2022 and 389 t in 2023, paralleling a sharp drop in imports. This contraction occurred alongside increased promotion of locally produced and processed goods, along with efforts to strengthen consumer confidence in domestic products, which may have reduced dependence on foreign supply.

Production lemons and limes in Burkina Faso

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Burkina Faso's lemons and limes production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 324.3 tonnes of lemons and limes, marking a 1.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports lemons and limes from Burkina Faso

Exports in kind, kg

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2017, with a 16-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Burkina Faso's lemons and limes export volume totaled 2 102 kg, reflecting a sharp decrease of 66.0% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 89.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 64.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the two leading destinations for lemons and limes exports from Burkina Faso were Germany and France, together accounting for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms were lowest in 2020 and highest in 2017, with a 6.4-fold gap between these years. In 2020, lemons and limes shipments from Burkina Faso amounted to 16.4 thousand US dollars, which is 36.6% less than the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 82.3%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 39.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Burkina Faso in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Germany and France—dominated the exports in value terms of lemons and limes from Burkina Faso, jointly accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Burkina Faso

Imports in kind, kg

Lemons and limes deliveries to Burkina Faso have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 76 190 kg, which is 116.3% higher compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 1 994.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 175.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burkina Faso in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana and the Netherlands were the key sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 82.2% of total flows, while other partners contributed much less individually.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports in value terms were lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.3-fold gap between these years. In 2020, lemons and limes volumes in Burkina Faso stood at 3.4 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a decline of 16.9% from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4.1 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2019 at 202.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Burkina Faso in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa (34.4% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (29.6% of imports in value terms), and France (25.3% of imports in value terms) remained the key directions for imports in value terms, together accounting for 89.3% of total flows.

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

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