Lemons and limes market in Iraq

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Iraqi lemons and limes market saw initial stability followed by growth. In 2018, Iraq was the second-largest importer of Turkish lemons, with a 25% surge in imports from Turkey that year, supporting a market volume of 167 thousand tons. The market remained steady in 2019 at 166.9 thousand tons, then expanded to 184.4 thousand tons in 2020 as imports rose to 179 thousand tons.

Market volume peaked in 2021 at 229 thousand tons, driven by imports exceeding 223 thousand tons, while domestic production gradually increased to 5.6 thousand tons. A dip to 207.6 thousand tons occurred in 2022, coinciding with a drop in imports to 202.1 thousand tons, before recovering to 231.5 thousand tons in 2023 with imports climbing again to 226.9 thousand tons. Domestic production, however, fell to 4.6 thousand tons in 2023.

By 2024, local demand remained strong, supported by an exclusive agent for lemon products in Iraq, and imports from neighboring countries continued to meet consumption needs, with import volumes at 209.6 thousand tons. The market has consistently relied on imports to supplement modest domestic production.

Production lemons and limes in Iraq

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

Iraq's production of lemons and limes has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5 375 tonnes, marking a modest increase of 3.8% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 21.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4 431 tonnes. That year also saw the smallest decline of 0.1%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest surge in production, with a significant increase of 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Iraq in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports lemons and limes from Iraq

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes varied dramatically, with a 54-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2020. In 2020, Iraq exported 0.0 thousand tonnes of lemons and limes, which represents a massive increase of 5 290.0% compared to 2019. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 thousand tonnes, and that year also saw the largest decline of 93.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core of Iraq's exports in kind was dominated by three key partners: the United Arab Emirates, which accounted for 61.1% of exports, Canada with 18.1%, and the Netherlands at 13.9%. Together, these three countries made up 93.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. There was a 17-fold variation between the minimum in 2019 and the maximum in 2018. In 2020, Iraq's foreign supplies of lemons and limes in monetary terms amounted to 0.0 million US dollars, showing a substantial rise of 1 027.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 0.0 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 94.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of lemons and limes from Iraq in value terms were Canada, with a 51.7% share of exports, the Netherlands at 18.2%, and the United Arab Emirates at 17.8%. Collectively, these three partners accounted for 87.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Iraq

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Iraq imported a total of 179.0 thousand tonnes of lemons and limes, reflecting a robust increase of 10.7% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 82.2%, which equates to an annualized rate of 22.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.6%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a jump of 65.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq's imports in kind were heavily concentrated on Turkey, which held a 72.6% share of total flows. Other trading partners accounted for the remaining volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The data shows irregular changes, signaling a volatile market environment. Imports in value terms peaked in 2020 and hit their lowest point in 2017, with a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of lemons and limes to Iraq amounted to 109.9 million US dollars, representing a strong increase of 39.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a rise of 86.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, the largest share of Iraq's imports in value terms came from Turkey at 48.2%, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 19.2%, and South Africa at 14.8%. Together, these three countries comprised 82.1% of total import flows.

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

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