Lemons and limes market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

Production of lemons and limes in Central America expanded steadily from 2 760 thousand tons in 2018 to 3 456 thousand tons in 2023. This growth was supported by the development of a logistics cluster in Limón, initiated as part of the Caribbean Special Economic Zone strategy, which enhanced competitiveness and productivity in transport, cargo, storage, and customs services, facilitating both domestic and international market access.

Market volume in physical terms rose from 2 285 thousand tons to 2 745 thousand tons over the same period, though it contracted to 2 427 thousand tons in 2021. The implementation of Law 9914 in Costa Rica in 2020, which defined the basic food basket, influenced fruit consumption patterns, while price-sensitive demand elasticity led to substitution effects. The strategic role of the Port of Limón, handling 88% of maritime exports, also affected export dynamics and domestic market supply.

In value terms, the market reached $3.2 billion in 2023, recovering from $2.2 billion in 2021. Shifting consumer preferences towards sustainable and differentiated products, coupled with regional inflationary pressures, contributed to price fluctuations and overall market value movements.

Production lemons and limes in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Central America's production of lemons and limes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 3 099 K t, marking a 5.5% increase from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 13%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of lemons and limes produced in Central America reached 3 445 M $ US, up 11.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 18.6%, translating to an annualized rate of 5.9%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 3.2%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Central America

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Central America's exports of lemons and limes declined. In 2020, exports totaled 460.6 K t, down 14.3% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 537.2 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States was the dominant destination for Central America's lemons and limes exports in volume terms, consistently making up 92.9% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Following two years of gains, Central America's lemons and limes export value decreased. In 2020, exports amounted to 512.2 M $ US, a 9.5% drop from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 5.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The peak value was in 2019 at 566.2 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 14.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States was by far the leading market for Central America's lemons and limes exports in value terms, accounting for 93.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Central America

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility over these years. Imports peaked in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2017, with a 3.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Central America imported 3.7 K t of lemons and limes, a 78.7% increase from 2019. The highest volume was in 2018 at 5.0 K t, which also experienced the largest surge of 280.9%. The most significant decline was in 2019, down 58.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Peru (27.9% of imports in volume), the United States (13.8%), and Colombia (4.3%) were the top suppliers of lemons and limes to Central America, though not dominant. Together, they accounted for 46.0% of total imports, with many smaller partners making up the rest.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their peak in 2018 and their trough in 2017, with a 4.2-fold change between these years. In 2020, Central America's imports of lemons and limes were valued at 5.1 M $ US, up 54.0% from the previous year. The highest value was in 2018 at 7.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest jump of 325.0%. The biggest drop occurred in 2019, with a decline of 54.1%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Peru (35.4% of imports in value), the United States (23.5%), and Argentina (6.9%) formed the core group of suppliers for Central America's lemons and limes imports in value terms, together representing 65.7% of total flows.

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

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