Lemons and limes market in Chile

Earlier Report Observations

The Chilean lemon and lime market established a foundation for growth from 2018 onward, with an expansion of planted area and the adoption of improved cultivation techniques across key regions. This increased production capacity supported a gradual rise in market volume. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further stimulated demand for citrus fruits, while the industry's focus on meeting phytosanitary standards opened new export opportunities to markets like China and South Korea, incentivizing greater output.

A significant acceleration in market volume occurred from 2021 to 2023. The approval of the Systems Approach for exporting lemons to the United States in 2022 was a pivotal development, as it allowed fumigation-free shipments and enhanced the competitiveness of Chilean fruit. This, coupled with the opening of the Chilean market to Brazilian Tahiti lemons, diversified trade flows. By 2023, exports surged by 32%, driven by strong U.S. demand and the emergence of Japan as a major second market, further supported by a new phytosanitary protocol with Indonesia that granted access to a vast consumer base.

Chile consolidated its position as a key global lemon supplier by 2024-2025, achieving reported double-digit growth in shipments. This was underpinned by strategic market diversification, including the opening to Argentine fresh lemons, and a continued emphasis on logistics efficiency and quality consistency to meet demand in Asia and Europe, capitalizing on global supply dynamics.

Production lemons and limes in Chile

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Chile ranked as the 16th largest producer of lemons and limes from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2018-2021

World map of production of lemons and limes, 2018-2021

Chile's production of lemons and limes grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 222.0 thousand tonnes, marking a 12.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 30.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The value of lemons and limes production in Chile increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 240.4 million US dollars, up 12.0% year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, however, production value declined by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 178.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 28.6%. In contrast, 2020 experienced the largest increase of 20.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports lemons and limes from Chile

Exports in kind, K t

Chile's exports of lemons and limes rose for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country exported 102.4 thousand tonnes, a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 16%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States and Japan were the primary destinations for Chile's lemons and limes exports in volume, together accounting for 81.2% of total shipments. Other partners individually held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Chile's exports of lemons and limes in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports totaled 110.9 million US dollars, up 6.0% year-over-year. However, from 2018 to 2021, export value decreased by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 93.7 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 28.0%. In 2020, exports experienced the largest increase of 11.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, Japan, and South Korea were the leading markets for Chile's lemons and limes exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 55.7% of exports, Japan for 24.0%, and South Korea for 6.1%, together making up 85.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Chile in value, 2018-2021

Imports lemons and limes to Chile

Imports in kind, K t

In 2021, Chile imported 14.7 thousand tonnes of lemons and limes, a 22.7% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 19.4%, equating to an average annual rate of 6.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15.1 thousand tonnes, while the lowest was in 2020 at 12.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 20.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Peru and the United States dominated Chile's imports of lemons and limes in volume, jointly accounting for 86.9% of total shipments. Other countries held significantly smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Chile imported lemons and limes valued at 10.2 million US dollars in 2021, a 37.8% increase from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, import value grew by 3.8%, with an average annual rate of 1.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 16.0 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 10.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a drop of 36.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Peru and the United States remained the top sources for Chile's lemons and limes imports in value terms, together accounting for 87.1% of total flows. Other partners played a supplementary role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Chile in value, 2018-2021