Market research

Lemons and limes market in Eastern Africa

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Eastern Africa" region includes following countries:

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lemons and limes in Eastern Africa expanded significantly from 143 thousand tons in 2018 to 280.5 thousand tons in 2023, with a notable surge to 231.2 thousand tons in 2020. A temporary contraction occurred in 2021, when the volume fell to 205.9 thousand tons, influenced by high fertilizer costs and delayed rainfall that created supply shortages and affected agricultural production.

Market volume stabilized around 202 thousand tons in 2022 amidst strong demand from fresh juice makers, the hospitality industry, and export markets. Soaring prices reflected tight supply, while distribution challenges including poor roads and fuel shortages led to high post-harvest losses. During this period, farmers began adopting grafted, drought-tolerant lemon varieties such as Lisbon and Meyer, and were encouraged to join cooperatives to improve market access and training, supporting long-term production resilience.

The market rebounded sharply in 2023, reaching 280.5 thousand tons, indicating a recovery and continued expansion of the sector.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Eastern Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from British Indian Ocean Territory by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production lemons and limes in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Eastern Africa's lemons and limes production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 228.3 K t of lemons and limes, representing a significant 49.1% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 70.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 19.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.8%	8.2%	49.1%	19.5%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of decline, Eastern Africa's lemons and limes production value rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 70 110 K $ US, showing a sharp increase of 30.4% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 53 754 K $ US, which marked the largest decline of 22.8% during this period.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.1%)	(22.8%)	30.4%	(0.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports lemons and limes from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Africa exported 1 825 t of lemons and limes in 2020, down by 20.0% from 2019. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 2 279 t, which also saw the largest increase of 13.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.3%)	13.5%	(20.0%)	(6.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa were key buyers of lemons and limes from Eastern Africa, together accounting for 34.4% of total exports in volume.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Lemons and limes exports from Eastern Africa declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 560 K $ US, reflecting a sharp drop of 30.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 51.9%, equating to an annualized decline of 21.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(15.2%)	(19.0%)	(30.0%)	(21.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was highly diversified. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 37.1% of exports, South Africa for 6.1%, and France for 1.0%, together making up 44.2% of total flows. The remaining 55.8% came from a wide range of smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports lemons and limes to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa imported approximately 4 643 t of lemons and limes in 2020, marking a sudden increase of 47.6% year-over-year. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 3 145 t, which also experienced the largest decline of 9.4%. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 44.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.8%	(9.4%)	47.6%	13.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Eastern Africa's suppliers of lemons and limes were diverse. South Africa contributed 26.7% of imports in volume, Egypt 9.1%, and Sudan 4.4%, together totaling 40.2% of imports. Many other countries held smaller but notable shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Eastern Africa's imported lemons and limes were valued at 3 632 K $ US, showing a modest rise of 1.8% from the previous year. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 568 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 12.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 4 082 K $ US, with the largest increase of 7.6%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.6%	(12.6%)	1.8%	(1.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates formed the core of imports in value terms. South Africa accounted for 48.0%, Egypt for 23.5%, and the United Arab Emirates for 3.6%, together making up 75.1% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io