Lemons and limes market in Dominican Republic

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, lemon and lime production in the Dominican Republic increased from 33 651 t to 44 300 t, while market volume grew from 27 681 t to 43 872 t. This expansion was supported by the establishment of the Lemon Cluster in mid-2017, which brought together over 3,000 citrus growers to boost local supply. The cluster also lobbied to suspend import permits from Mexico, Peru, and Colombia, reducing foreign competition and protecting domestic producers. By 2020, the sector cultivated approximately 330 000 tareos of land dedicated to lemons and limes, sustaining an annual output around 50 000 t.

Production continued to rise sharply, reaching 82 963 t in 2023, with market volume peaking at 82 715 t. Despite reports of high prices and low profitability in 2022, the area under organic certification expanded to 8 000 tareos. In 2023, the industry received targeted loans from the Ministry of Agriculture, benefiting 85 producers for planting and maintenance. Exports faced stricter U.S. safety requirements, but domestic output remained strong, driven by the dominant Persian lime variety and the niche Eureka lemon segment for European markets.

Production lemons and limes in Dominican Republic

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

The Dominican Republic's production of lemons and limes has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 44 300 tonnes, marking a significant increase of 17.2% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 39.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of lemons and limes production in the Dominican Republic has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 28 041 thousand US dollars, showing a slight decrease of 2.4% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 22.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Dominican Republic in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports lemons and limes from Dominican Republic

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of lemons and limes from the Dominican Republic showed volatility during the observed period. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 646 tonnes, representing a sharp drop of 61.8% compared to 2019. The lowest point was in 2020, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 6 633 tonnes, creating a four-fold difference between these years. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a growth of 99.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of lemons and limes from the Dominican Republic were primarily directed to Haiti and the Netherlands. Together, these two countries accounted for 81.1% of total export volumes, with other destinations playing a smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of lemons and limes exports from the Dominican Republic has decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 042 thousand US dollars, down by 68.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value fell by 72.7%, with an average annual decline of 35.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 815 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in the same year, with a rise of 52.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Haiti accounted for 74.9% of the total value of lemons and limes exports from the Dominican Republic. The remaining exports were distributed among a variety of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Dominican Republic

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of lemons and limes into the Dominican Republic experienced noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, imports totaled 1 218 tonnes, which is 113.9% higher than in 2019. The lowest point was in 2019 at 570 tonnes, while the peak was in 2017, resulting in a 2.6-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 54.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Dominican Republic in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of lemons and limes to the Dominican Republic were Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Colombia accounted for 47.5% of import volumes, Mexico for 22.4%, and Peru for 14.2%. Together, these three countries represented 84.0% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of lemons and limes imports into the Dominican Republic showed volatility over the observed period. In 2020, import value reached 1 507 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp increase of 86.6% compared to 2019. The lowest value was in 2019 at 808 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2017, showing a 2.1-fold difference. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a decrease of 41.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for lemons and limes imports into the Dominican Republic in value terms were Colombia, the United States, and Mexico. Colombia accounted for 42.1% of import value, the United States for 21.8%, and Mexico for 16.4%. Collectively, these three countries represented 80.3% of total import flows.

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

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