Lemons and limes market in Israel

Earlier Report Observations

The market for lemons and limes in Israel showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. Volume peaked at 75.2 thousand t in 2019, reflecting a period of strong domestic production, before contracting to 70.5 thousand t in 2020. A recovery followed in 2021, bringing the market back to nearly 74.6 thousand t, but this gain was not sustained, with volumes declining again over the next two years to 70.5 thousand t in 2023.

The market's dynamics were primarily driven by changes in domestic output, as import and export volumes remained minimal throughout the period. Production followed a similar volatile pattern, rising to 75.6 thousand t in 2019, then falling and recovering in tandem with total market size, indicating a market largely supplied by local harvests.

In 2024, the regulatory environment for the market shifted significantly. The Israeli government implemented a policy to reduce tariffs and open the fruit and vegetable market to imports, a move aimed at increasing competition. Concurrently, the Iron Swords War impacted the agricultural sector, contributing to labor shortages that affected production and distribution.

Production lemons and limes in Israel

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Israel ranked 25th globally in lemon and lime production.

Top producers of lemons and limes, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Israel produced 71 312 tonnes of lemons and limes, a 5.6% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 71 027 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 75 565 tonnes. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, rising by 6.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, lemon and lime production in Israel saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 87 578 thousand US dollars, a 9.5% increase from the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 11.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 79 960 thousand US dollars, and the most significant drop occurred in 2018, falling by 16.1%.

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

Exports lemons and limes from Israel

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 426 tonnes and peaked in 2018 at 2 301 tonnes, showing a 5.4-fold difference. In 2020, Israel's lemon and lime export volume was 802 tonnes, marking a substantial 88.2% increase from the prior year. The largest decline was in 2019, down 81.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 263.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the United States, and Russia were the primary markets for Israel's lemon and lime exports in volume terms. France accounted for 41.4% of exports, the United States for 16.9%, and Russia for 7.5%, together representing 65.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations over the period. Exports in value terms bottomed in 2019 at 451 thousand US dollars and peaked in 2018 at 2 688 thousand US dollars, with a six-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments of lemons and limes from Israel totaled 985 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 118.4% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, down 83.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, up 221.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, France, the United States, and Russia formed the key group of partners for Israel's lemon and lime exports in value terms. France represented 41.8% of exports, the United States 16.8%, and Russia 6.7%, jointly accounting for 65.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports lemons and limes to Israel

Imports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility during the observed period. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 38 tonnes, showing a 13.8-fold variation. In 2020, Israel's lemon and lime import volume stood at 11 tonnes, corresponding to a sharp 61.2% contraction from the prior year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 1 279.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, India, and Guatemala consistently remained the main sources for Israel's lemon and lime imports in volume terms. Egypt accounted for 52.6% of imports, India for 18.8%, and Guatemala for 14.1%, together representing 85.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports in value terms were at their minimum in 2017 and reached a maximum in 2018 at 54 thousand US dollars, with a 7.7-fold difference. In 2020, Israel's lemon and lime imports amounted to 14 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 57.6% decrease compared to 2019. The largest increase was in 2018, up 671.4%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Egypt, India, and Guatemala were the primary suppliers of lemons and limes to Israel in value terms. Egypt accounted for 51.9% of imports, India for 17.6%, and Guatemala for 14.8%, jointly representing 84.3% of total import flows.

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

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