Lemons and limes market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, lemon and lime production in ECOWAS remained stable at just over 101 thousand tons, with market size hovering around 103 thousand tons. During this period, global supply dynamics were influenced by events such as the expansion of bearing acreage in South Africa, where over 43% of trees were young, and a significant production drop in Spain, which tightened European availability but did not disrupt West African output.

A downward trend emerged from 2020, with production falling to 97.2 thousand tons and market size declining to 99.6 thousand tons that year. The contraction continued through 2022, with production reaching 92.5 thousand tons and market volume bottoming at 94.3 thousand tons. Broader industry focus during these years shifted toward supply chain security and analyzing global capacities, reflecting wider market adjustments.

A recovery began in 2023 as production rose to 95.5 thousand tons and market size increased to 98.0 thousand tons. This upturn preceded emerging factors for 2024, including strengthened European demand from the reopened hospitality sector and various supply challenges in key exporting regions like South Africa, Brazil, and Mexico, which signaled changing conditions in the international market.

Production lemons and limes in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

ECOWAS's production of lemons and limes grew for two consecutive years before declining. In 2020, the region produced 97.2 thousand tonnes, marking a 4.1% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 11.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 101.3 thousand tonnes, while the most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 15.9%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

The export market for lemons and limes from ECOWAS showed considerable volatility over the observed period. From 2017 to 2019, exports fluctuated dramatically, with the highest and lowest points differing by a factor of 29. In 2020, exports surged to 135 tonnes, representing a sharp 774.1% increase compared to 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at just 15 tonnes, and the steepest decline happened in 2018, when exports fell by 96.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belarus, the Netherlands, and Germany were consistently the top buyers of lemons and limes from ECOWAS in terms of volume. Belarus accounted for 18.5% of exports, followed by the Netherlands at 6.6% and Germany at 2.4%. Together, these three countries represented 27.6% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for lemons and limes from ECOWAS displayed irregular patterns, pointing to a highly volatile market. The highest value was recorded in 2017, while the lowest was in 2018, with an 8.6-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, export value rebounded to 221 thousand US dollars, showing a substantial 184.5% increase from the previous year. The lowest point was in 2018 at 67 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 88.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belarus, the Netherlands, and Germany remained the leading markets for ECOWAS's lemon and lime exports in value terms. Belarus dominated with 45.3% of total export value, followed by the Netherlands at 20.4% and Germany at 18.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 84.5% of all export revenues.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, imports of lemons and limes into ECOWAS rebounded. In 2020, imports totaled 2 630 tonnes, reflecting a 45.9% increase from the previous year. Over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 31.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 9.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 1 803 tonnes, and the most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 7.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa, Portugal, and Morocco were the primary sources of lemons and limes imported into ECOWAS by volume. South Africa led with 32.8% of imports, followed by Portugal at 17.2% and Morocco at 15.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 65.2% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of lemons and limes imported into ECOWAS reached 2 641 thousand US dollars, indicating a strong 33.0% increase from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 62%, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 17.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2018, up by 46.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Portugal, South Africa, and Spain—collectively accounted for 78.0% of the total value of lemons and limes imported into ECOWAS.

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

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